Horse
Pronunciation:
Bou-lon-eh
Breed Description:
The Boulonnais breed of horse is an exceptional draft horse that originated in the north west of France many centuries ago. It is a heavy work horse that has a distinctive look that is strangely elegant. It has a very thick, short, arched neck with muscular sloping shoulders and a very wide chest. It has a straight profile and very prominent eye sockets, and a broad, flat forehead. Its ears are proportionately tiny, and erect.
The Boulonnais has a sturdy but compact body and its back is straight and very broad. Its legs are short, strong and muscular, and its cannon bones particularly short and thick. Its joints are generally solid and clean.
The Boulonnais is mostly grey in color, although mares will something throw a chestnut or bay foal, both of which are highly sought after because of their rarity. Its coat is silky and the mane quite fine.
Temperament:
The Boulonnais breed of horse has a kind, gentle, willing nature and is easy-going and sociable.
Height:
The Boulonnais breed of horse is quite small and only grows to a height of between 15.3 and 16.3 hands or 63 to 67 inches at the withers. Historically the smaller type of Boulonnais (see Origin below) grew only to 16 hands (or 64 inches).
Weight:
The Boulonnais breed of horse has a weight of anything between 1,430 and 1,980 lbs.
Health Problems:
The Boulonnais breed of horse is not prone to any particular health problems.
Living Conditions:
The Boulonnais breed of horse can cope easily with difficult living conditions as it is a strong, sturdy horse. There is no need for it to be stabled.
Exercise:
The Boulonnais breed of horse is a work horse and gets all the exercise it needs if it is kept in work. Today some people show these horses, in which case they will need to be exercised regularly and consistently.
Life Expectancy:
The Boulonnais breed of horse can live up to between 25 and 30 years.
Grooming:
The Boulonnais breed of horse has a very silky coat for a cold blooded breed. The mane is very fine and thick and needs to be brushed. Regular grooming is advised to keep the coat looking healthy.
Origin:
The Boulonnais breed of horse has origins that go way back to the days before the start of Christianity, when Julius Caesar and his Roman legions were invading what is now Great Britain. More Arab blood was added to the breed during the Crusades to make the horses suitable for carrying warriors dressed in heavy armor. Then during the 14th century they were crossed with Spanish horses, and later with German horses as well.
The Boulonnais breed of horse was given its name in the 17th century, although by then there were already two distinctive types that had emerged, one type considerably smaller than the other.
It was a popular work horse in France during World War 1 and was also used for delivering fish.
The smaller type had died out by the mid-20th century, but the larger type is still bred in small numbers in Europe, unfortunately more for the meat market than for anything else. Happily there are horse lovers who keep them for competition showing classes. 