Castillonnais

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Castillonnais
FAO (2007): no data[1]: 44 
Other names
  • Cheval de Castillon
  • Cheval Ariègeois de Castillon
  • Cheval du Biros
  • Saint-Gironnais
Country of originFrance
DistributionAriège
Traits
Height
    • minimum: 135 cm
    • maximum: 155 cm
  • Male:
    average: 147 cm
  • Female:
    average: 145 cm
Colour
Breed standards

The Castillonais or Cheval Ariègeois de Castillon , also formerly called Cheval du Biros or Saint-Gironnais, is an ancient

département of south-western France. It may be dark bay or seal brown. It stands 135–155 centimetres at the withers, with an average height of about 145 cm.[2] It is used principally for trekking and for driving
.

The Castillonnais probably descends from the horses that inspired the Magdalenian-era paintings found, for example, at the Cave of Niaux, with Oriental and Iberian blood added later. Originally bred as a multi-purpose breed used for cavalry, agriculture and driving, the breed declined in population during the 20th century, and almost became extinct. In 1980, a group of supporters began to work to save the breed, and a breed association, now called the Association Nationale du Cheval Castillonnais d'Ariège Pyrénées, was formed in 1992. The breed was officially recognised by the French Ministry of Agriculture in 1996. The French government, breed association and a regional conservation group all now share an interest in the preservation of the breed. Population numbers are still quite low, and inbreeding is a concern.

History

Paris, France

Like many other French breeds from the Pyrenees, the Castillonnais probably descends from the horses that inspired the Magdalenian-era paintings found, for example, at the Cave of Niaux.[3]: 111 [4] Over time, blood from Oriental and Iberian horses was added to the breed,[3]: 111  and influenced its physical appearance and temperament.[4][5] The Castillonnais was originally known as the "cheval du Biros" (Biros horse) or "Saint-Gironnais", a name from the town of Saint-Girons in Ariege in the Pyrenees, where a large horse fair was held the day after All Saints' Day. In the late nineteenth century, horses of the Pyrenees were known for their use as mounts by light cavalry.[4] In 1908, Gabriel Lamarque, equine historian and president of the Société d’agriculture de l’Ariège (Agricultural Society of Ariege), began to study the breed as part of his work in the development of native horse populations in France.[4][6]

The breed was originally a multi-purpose horse, used for agriculture, cavalry and pulling

stud-book.[4]

In 1996, the Castillonnais was officially recognised by the French Ministry of Agriculture,[4] due to the efforts of a small number of breed enthusiasts,[3]: 111  though by that time only 50 purebred mares remained.[7] The breed association's name was changed to L’association Nationale du Cheval Castillonnais d'Ariège Pyrénées (ANCCAP) (National Association of Castillonnais Horses of the Ariège Pyrenees), and is headquartered in Castillon-en-Couserans.[8]: 216  Le Conservatoire du Patrimoine Biologique Régional de Midi-Pyrénées (Conservatory of the Biological Heritage of the Midi-Pyrénées Region), an organisation that has worked to protect the diversity of animal species in the region since 1980, is also committed to protecting the breed.[9]: 128 

Population numbers for the Castillonnais are quite low. The majority of breeders are located in Castillon-en-Couserans, in Ariège, but a few can be found in

Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (National Institute of Agronomic Research) have been brought in to help safeguard the genetic resources of the breed.[5]

Characteristics

The physical characteristics seen in the breed are currently in flux, so there is not a single breed

gaits and good temperament.[4] Some members of the breed closely resemble Iberian horses such as the Andalusian horse.[3]: 111  The official breed standard calls for a moderately long neck and long, sloped shoulder, broad back, rounded croup and muscular legs.[2][11]: 55  Some members of the breed are branded on the left hindquarter.[5] Because of its relative rarity and physical similarities, the Castillonnais is commonly confused with the Mérens.[11]
: 53 

The height of the Castillonnais ranges from a minimum of 135 centimetres (13.1

sure-footed on mountain paths,[11]: 55  and exhibit extended gaits, with strong engagement of the hindquarters.[5]

Uses

The Castillonnais is used mainly for

pack horses for taking food and equipment to mountainous areas otherwise only accessible by helicopter.[6]

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Castillonnais horse.
  1. ISBN 9789251057629
    . Accessed June 2014.
  2. ^ a b c d Règlement du Stud-Book du Cheval Castillonais (in French). Institut français du cheval et de l'équitation, 1 January 2017. Accessed November 2018.
  3. ^
    ISBN 9782855571409
    .
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Le Cheval Castillonnais (in French). Association Nationale du Cheval Castillonnais d'Ariège Pyrénées. Accessed November 2018.
  5. ^ a b c d e f Cheval de Castillon (in French). Les Haras Nationaux. Archived 22 July 2012.
  6. ^ a b Bernard Pastourel (2007). Le Castillonnais: Un cheval petit par la taille, mais grand par ses capacités! (in French). AriègeNews .Archived 7 October 2007.
  7. ^ Le cheval de Castillon (in French). Léopold Andreu. Archived 6 September 2009.
  8. ISBN 9782738005816
    .
  9. ISBN 9782738012180
  10. ^ Localisation des chevaux Castillonnais (in French). Association Nationale du Cheval Castillonnais d'Ariège Pyrénées. Accessed November 2018.
  11. ^
    ISBN 9782855571546
    .
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