Horse
Pronunciation:
pwah-tev-ehn'
Breed Description:
The Poitevin breed of horse, also known as the Mulassier, is a French breed of heavy horse, They are difficult to train and so are usually used for crossing with other breeds, particularly for producing mules. The Poitevin comes in dun, grey, bay, black or palomino, is a large, muscular horse with heavy leg feathering.
Temperament:
The Poitevin breed of horse is known for being bad tempered, uncooperative, and difficult to train. They are primarily used for crossing with other breeds and with donkeys.
Height:
The Poitevin breed of horse stands around 16 hands.
Weight:
The Poitevin breed of horse weighs around 1300 pounds.
Health Problems:
The Poitevin breed of horse has no specific health problems.
Living Conditions:
The Poitevin breed of horse is hardy and can be kept outdoors in all but the harshest weather.
Exercise:
The Poitevin breed of horse is difficult to handle but its temperament may be improved with regular work and training,
Life Expectancy:
The Poitevin breed of horse lives into its mid-twenties.
Grooming:
The Poitevin breed of horse is shown with a natural appearance. It has a rough coat and thick leg feathering that requires regular grooming.
Origin:
The Poitevin breed of horse descends from the ancient Forest Horse of Northern Europe. The breed as we know it today was developed from the crossing of native Poitiers mares with heavy draft stallions imported by the Dutch from the Netherlands, Norway and Denmark for use in building dikes and for heavy land reclamation work In France, it was used for draining marshes. The breed came close to extinction during the 1950s, but is now enjoying a revival. The temperament of the Poitevin is so intractable that today it is rarely used for farm work but is best known as the producer of the popular Poitevin mule.
