Horse
Breed Description:
The Auxois breed of horse is a stoutly built draft horse having a broad back, wide chest, muscular shoulders and a strong hindquarter. Their heads tend to be a little small but with a broad forehead and small alert ears. These horses have very powerful legs with short and dense cannon bones. The legs are not usually heavily forward and are quite quick for all of their bulk. These horses are well built and have an amazing capacity for pulling heavy loads. The Auxois horse is usually either bay or roan with chestnut being observed occasionally. Most horses are branded with the letters TX on the left side of the neck.
Temperament:
The Auxois breed of horse has a willing, quiet and kind temperament. They have significant strength and endurance which makes them ideally suited for heavy draft and farm work.
Height:
The Auxois breed of horse is usually between 15 and 16.2 hands in height.
Weight:
The Auxois breed of horse usually weighs from 1,650 to 2,425 pounds.
Health Problems:
The Auxois breed of horse is a healthy and robust breed of horse with no unusual health problems.
Living Conditions:
The Auxois breed of horse is a domesticated breed and therefore has the same requirements for shelter, feed and water that all domestic horses need.
Exercise:
The Auxois breed of horse is well suited for working for a living whether that be in the field or pulling a heavy cart. Like most draft horses, they require regular exercise to maintain fitness, avoid excess weight and for their general health and well being.
Life Expectancy:
The Auxois breed of horse has an average life span for a horse. Depending on management and environment, these horses can live to 25 or 30 years of age.
Grooming:
The Auxois breed of horse doesn’t have any special grooming requirements. Like all breeds of horses, they require daily grooming to ensure coat health and shine, especially before and after work. In addition, they should have their feet cleaned daily. All horses benefit from regular foot care, vaccinations and worming to maintain optimum health.
Origin:
The Auxois breed of horse originated in France and is descended from the ancient horse of Burgundy which dates back to the Middle Ages. The breed was originally located in the Cote d’Or and Yonne regions of France. It is closely related to the Ardennais which is another French draft horse and is thought to be the result of crossing local mares of Burgundy with Ardennais sires. In the 1800’s other breeds such as Northern Ardennais, Percheron and Boulonnaise bloodlines were allowed but in the 1900’s only Ardennais and Northern Ardennais bloodlines were used. They were bred originally as heavy draft horses for farm and cart use and they also were selectively bred for the national horsemeat market. Like most heavy draft horses, their numbers were significantly reduced with the advent of mechanization on the farm and in the transport industry. This is a rare breed these days, although there are some preservation efforts underway. 