Camargue
Origin
France
History
The Camargue is an ancient breed and was probably indigenous to the area in prehistoric times. In size and proportion, it is similar to the remains of prehistoric horses found at Solutré during the 19th century. Through the centuries many armies have passed by the Camargue, , therefore the Camargue has been influenced by other breeds. In the pre-Christian era, Ostro-Goths and Vandals passed this way on Asian or Mongol horses in their invasion of Europe. Later, in the 7th and 8th centuries, a strong Barb influence was introduced by the Moorish conquerors from the Iberian Peninsula.
The Camargue Horse lives in the Rhône Delta in southern France.
The breed was not officially recognized until 1968, when an association of breeders was formed and annual stallion inspections were organized under the aegis of the Nîmes National Stud.
Description
- Head:
often coarse and heavy with a straight or slightly convex profile; large and expressive eyes; broad and short ears - Conformation:
-short and muscular neck, deep at the base
-rather straight and quite short shoulder
-strong and fairly short back
-short and narrow croup
-short, strong and well formed legs with good hard joints-very hard and sound hooves - Average height:
13.1 to 14.1 h.h. - Colours:
always white - Temperament:
incredibly hardy horses, possessed of great stamina and needing, or at any rate receiving, nothing more than what they can scavenge in the needs - Today:
much of the Camargue has been drained and given over to the cultivation of rice and vines, but horses are still used to work the cattle and to drive the bulls through the village streets during the traditional folk festivals.
