Origin
France
History
The Poitevin is descended from the mainly Dutch, Danish, and Norwegian heavy horses that were brought to Poitou in the 17th century to help drain the marshes of La Vendée and Poitou. The mares were then bred for crossbreeding with Baudet de Poitou jackasses to produce valuable mules.
Poitevin mules, famous for their versatlity and exceptional strength, quickly became sought after in both Europe and the US. Ideal for work in difficult terrain where heavy horses are not a practical proposition, they were used in places such as Turkey, Greece, the South of France, Italy, Spain, and Portugal, and were even exported as far as Russia. Between 1900 and 1914, there was a good trade in Poitou mules in the US. After the First World War, numbers were seriously depleted, but during the 1920s, the trade recovered. Further setbacks were experienced after the Second World War, but recently there has been a limited revival and there is now no shortage of buyers for the stock.
Description
- Head:
heavy; the ears, thick and not very mobile - Conformation:
-long neck with a thick, coarse and luxuriant mane
-well set withers
-wide and deep chest
-long, wide back, well attached to wide loins
-wide hips, spreading out
-drooping croup
-long and slanted ribs
-powerful limbs with wide, strong joints and wide, well-shaped hooves
-muscular thighs
-in winter, the body is heavily covered with rough hair - Average height:
16 to 16.2 h.h. - Colour:
usually dun - Temperament:
lethargic, slow and sober in terms of disposition - Today:
essentially producers of mules, Poitevin mares are also put to Poitevin stallions to maintain the breed. Surplus animals can be sold through the meat market.
