Boulonnais

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Names:  Boulonnais.

Origin:  France: Boulogne, Vimeux (Somme), Pas de Calais, Pays de Caux (Seine Inferieur), Marquanterre Oise, Seine Maritime, Picardy, Flanders.  (Apparently the breed's primary area of origin is northwest France, which is near Boulogne, hence its name.)  All horses registered with the Syndicat Hippique Boulonnais are considered as Boulonnais.  It is also bred in Picardy, Artois, Haute Normandy, and parts of Flanders.

Breeding:  Descended from heavy horses crossed with Oriental types ridden by Caesar's legions, and later improved by the Arab and Barb stallions of returned Crusaders.  His obvious Arab appearance is due to repeated and systematic crossings with Oriental blood from the time of the Crusades right up to the last century.

Description:  Today they are massive farm animals that still retain the good looks and conformation implanted by their forebears.  This is a strong, fast-moving French draft horse, bred for centuries near Boulogne and adjacent Belgian districts.  It resembles the Percheron in both size and coloration.

Action:  Lively, extraordinarily energetic action in the trot and walk.

Body:  Strong, broad neck with a good crest, and soft silky mane.  Good withers almost completely hidden by powerful muscles.  Rather straight and short shoulders.  Upper and lower forearm in good relation to each other (sometimes set too far under).  Back sometimes somewhat sunken.  Loins broad, short and muscular.  Broad, cleft quarters.  Powerfully muscled gaskins.  Hocks broad and clean.

Color:  Gray, bay, black or roan.  Predominately grey.  One source said the coat is blotchy, usually gray with darker patches.  I would tend to go along with this were it not for the many Boulonnais that look just like the handsome white one above!

Head:  Short.  Unusually small, light head, well-made and with broad forehead.  Lively, large eyes, often with rather heavy eyelids.  Large, broad nostrils.

Hooves:  Well-shaped and strong.

Legs:  Thick and powerful.

Size:  16.2 hands.  15.3 to 16.3 hands.

Temperament:  Energetic, active temperament; quiet, docile character.

Features:  Strong and good looking, with much stamina.  Very mobile heavy horse with lots of action.  Robust constitution.

Uses:  Was bred for the Crusades.  Now works mainly on farms; very good for heavy farm work, such as pulling carts.  Before the railroad era, these horses were used for fast-trotting work, as well as drawing heavy coaches and military equipment.

Accomplishments: 

Curiosities:  Just as Thoroughbred or Arab blood improves light horses, so that of the Boulonnais betters the "heavies."  The three types of the popular Breton, the Draft, more cobby Postier and less familiar (Corlay) mountain pony, have all benefited to a great degree in this way.

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