Horse
Pronunciation:
kä-'märg
Breed Description:
The Camargue breed of horse is a white horse with black skin, giving it a white or gray appearance upon maturity. Camargues are small horses from the windy Rhone delta in France, have lived on poor grazing for thousands of years, and are known for their agility and stamina. The Camargue breed of horse has a heavy, square head. Their even temperament and sturdy intelligence make them good riding horses, and they are often used for dressage and long-distance riding. The Camargue breed of horse has a short muscular neck, long thick mane and tail, pronounced withers, short straight back, short narrow croup, and a wide deep chest. They also have broad hooves, an evolutionary adaptation due to their wetlands origins. They are typically not shod. The Camargue breed of horse is born brown or black, but its hair turns incrementally white until it is completely white/gray at about age five.
Temperament:
The Camargue breed of horse has a calm and willing temperament and high intelligence. They often form strong bonds with their riders.
Height:
The Camargue breed of horse stands 13-14 hands high.
Weight:
The Camargue breed of horse weighs 650 to 875 lbs.
Health Problems:
The Camargue breed of horse is agile, with great stamina. There are no noted breed-specific health problems. Indeed, they are quite hardy and seemingly not bothered by heat, mosquitoes, or flies.
Living Conditions:
The Camargue breed of horse originated in the windy Camargue wetlands, and have withstood these poor living conditions for thousands of years. In the Camargue, the horses are generally not stabled, and can tolerate both hot humid summers and harsh cold winters.
Exercise:
The Camargue breed of horse is energetic with remarkable endurance. It can travel long distances with ease.
Life Expectancy:
The Camargue breed of horse lives 20 to 25 years.
Grooming:
The Camargue breed of horse should be groomed regularly. A hard-working, stabled Camargue may require a thorough grooming each day, while one kept in the pasture may require only a light going-over with a dandy brush. Camargues are typically not shod.
Origin:
The Camargue breed of horse comes from the windy Camargue marshes in the Rhone delta. The Camargues are the traditional mount of the "guardians," cowboys who herd the black Camargue bulls that are used in bullfighting in southern France. The Camargue breed of horse is believed to be a descendant of the prehistoric horses that lived during the Paleolithic period. 