Poltevin Horse

The Poitevin horse is also known as Mulassier. This horse is a draft horse that belongs to Poitou region of France. Of all the nine French heavy draft horse breeds, this breed is the one that is least known. It is believed that this breed has some connections with the ancient primeval Forest Horse of Northern Europe. For hundreds of years, it has served as a reliable work-horse. More information about this breed is elaborated in the following account.

History of Poitevin Horse

The Poitevin horse is the descendant of Dutch, Danish and Norwegian heavy horses. These horses were brought to Poitou (France) in the 17th century. The mares were then bred to be crossbred with Baudet de Poitou jackasses to create precious mules. Poitevins are famous for their versatility and exceptional strength. These traits made this horse breed a great requirement in both Europe and the U.S. Poitevins are perfect to work in intricate terrain where heavy horses are not a practical proposition. Thus, they were used in places such as Turkey, the South of France, Greece, Portugal, Italy and Spain. They were even exported as far as Russia. Between the first fourteen years of the past century, there was a good trade in Poitou mules in the U.S. After the First World War, this breed saw a serious depletion in terms of numbers. It was during the second decade of the past century, that the trade recovered. More setbacks were experienced after the Second World War but in recent times there has been a revival of some degree and there is now no dearth of buyers for the stock.

Physique of Poitevin Horse

Poitevin is a large, gaunt horse. It is undistinguished and usually unattractive. It has a heavy head with long and thick ears. It has a short and straight neck with powerful but often upright shoulders. The depth of girth is inadequate for its size and weight. The body is long and has strong and sloping hindquarters. The massive legs have heavy feather and hooves are well-shaped.

Height of Poitevin Horse

The Poitevin horse stands between the height of 15 and 17 hands high.

Body Color of Poitevin Horse

Body color of Poitevin horse is usually dun but it can also be bay, gray, black or brown.

Temperament of Poitevin Horse

When it comes to the temperament of the Poitevin horse, it is sober, dull and a lethargic horse.

Uses of Poitevin Horse

The creation of Poitevin mules has been the main use of the Poitevins. The production of these mules takes place through cross breeding jacks of the Baudet de Poitou breed with Poitevin mares. The consequential mules are esteemed throughout Europe. For the horsemeat markets of Europe also, the Poitevins are valuable and are bred for this purpose as well.

Poitevin horse is a plain, thick-witted horse. It was originally imported from the flatlands of Northern Europe to drain the marshes around Poitou; a job for which it was particularly qualified by virtue of its enormous feet. It might have died out long ago if it would not have possessed one very special quality- it produces excellent mules. Poitevin horses are bred to produce Poitevin mares, the best of whom in turn are bred to tall jackasses of the Baudet Poitevin strain. The resulting large mules are very valuable.