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Ardennais
A little background...
The Ardennais is one of France’s oldest draught horse breeds. It is often presented as a direct descendant of the Solutré horse. From Julius Caesar onwards, all Roman Emperors widely drew on this horse population. Changes to the breed have been greatly conditioned by war needs but also by agriculture. Under the empire, the Ardennais became a small horse reputed for its rustic character, restraint and endurance. In the XIX century, significant breeding with the Belgian Draught, which continued up until the first world war, lead to an increase in the breed’s build to produce a heavier-boned, sturdier and more powerful horse able to work the heavy soils of the large farms in the east of France.
Breed standard
The Ardennais is compact, heavy-set and very docile. It measures between 1.60m for females and 1.62m for males, with an adult weight of between 700 and 1,000kg. Its coat is bay or roan, possibly chestnut or iron grey and sometimes dun.
Today...
Today, the Ardennais draught horse is found throughout France but mainly in the north-east, the Massif Central and the Pyrenees. It still works the fields and vineyards. It is also a very good horse for forest clearing and horse-drawn tourism. It is a perfect companion for young and old. The Ardennais can adapt to any situation. It is the fourth French draught horse breed with 530 breeders, 240 active stallions, 1,500 purebred covered
mares and 800 foals registered each year.