Camargue Pony
The Camargue is one of the oldest breeds in the world. The area where the
Camargue is bred is contained within a triangle in the south of France.
Montpellier is to the west, Tarascon to the north and Fos to the east, passing
through Salon de Provence, an area which thus encompasses the "Ile de Camargue
", the plains of the Gard and the Hérault, and part of the Crau. In 1928 the
Camargue Regional Park was established to protect the horses and cattle of
Camargue from human encroachment. The climate of the Camargue is harsh, being
either scorching hot beneath a fierce sun or whipped by icy winds blowing from
the Alps.
The Camargue, often called "the horse of the sea," has existed in this region
since prehistoric times. Some suggest it is a descendant of the now extinct
Soutré horse, whose bones were found in the southeast of France yet its exact
origins are still shrouded in mystery. Through the centuries many armies have
passed by the Camargue, including the Greeks, Romans and Arabs. The horses
brought with these armies influenced the Camargue over time. It has even been
suggested that the Camargue has had some influence on the early breeds in Spain
as armies took them back home.
The horses of the Camargue run wild in the marshlands in small herds consisting
of one stallion, his mares and progeny. The fillies are usually caught and
branded as yearlings and colts thought to be unsuitable for breeding are gelded
at three years old. The breed is strictly protected today. Breeding is semi-wild
but under supervision of the Biological Research Station of la Tour du Valat.
Because of their somewhat isolated environment, humans have been able to observe
the social interactions and lifestyles of wild horses. The Camargue has
contributed greatly to human understanding of equine behavior that might have
otherwise never been researched.
The Camargue is a rugged horse and breeds very true to type -- to the extent
that it can be difficult to tell one from another. This horse is lively but has
a good nature and when trained to ride is used to mange the bull herd in the
delta as well as provide visitors the opportunity to explore the region by
horseback.
The Camargue horse is born black or brown and turns gray with maturity. They
stand between 13 - 14 hands. They have a large and square head with a straight
or slightly convex profile. The eyes are large and expressive and the ears are
broad and short with a broad base. The neck is short and muscular, deep at the
base, the withers are pronounced, the back is straight and short. The croup is
short and narrow, the chest wide and deep. The shoulder is rather straight and
quite short; the mane and tail are long and thick. The legs are extremely hardy
with clean joints, a long forearm, and very good hooves. They are not shod.
The Camargue is an even-tempered horse, lively, agile, brave and very hardy. It
is capable of enduring bad weather and long periods without food, as well as
traveling long distances. Its infallible instinct and broad, steady hooves mean
that it is perfectly adapted to its watery environment. The Camargue is
particularly suited for riding.