The Ancient Camargue horse of France! In the Camargue wetlands for over 1,000 years!
This amazing stone age breed lives in the wet marsh lands of France.
An amazing beauty to behold the cowboy(Gardians) horse of Southern France the Camargue.
Origins
The origins of the Camargue are murky some say it is the decedents of ancient Solutre Horses. In Burgundy Region of France there is a substantial amount of evidence to back this up. Others however believe it was and is it’s own with only the name changing.
The Camargue horse is an ancient breed of horse indigenous to the Camargue area in southern France. Roaming France before it was France. These horses were beloved by Roman and Celtic invaders coming to conquer the Iberian Peninsula. Julius Cesar admired the breed for its robustness. The emperor even encouraged the expansion of the number of breeders. Napoleon Bonaparte drafted them into his army. His war steeds were quick to light-footed and could endure great distances on sparse substance. Invaders and conquerors were not the only admires artists of France and the world over have loved it for its beauty running semi-feral through the marshy wetlands of France. The splashing and galloping herd of Camargue is a favorite of photographers and videographers.
Characteristics
The Camargue has some truly unique hooves. Able to withstand hours in water with practically no foot problems or any need for shoes. Sure-footed an able to subsist on very sparse forage it’s no wonder leaders like Julius Cesar and Napoleon Bonaparte favored these beauties.
The Camargue is born a coat of black or dark brown. As they grow and mature so to will there coat lightning as time passes eventually turning a grayish color. Although they also come in Roan and dare I say it flea-bitten gray(a terrible name for a color) .This is due to black skin with white under coat. From a far they will look all white causing a perfectly ethereal effect. Though this horse is on the small side standing 13 to 14 hands tall it is most rugged. Able to easily take a rider through harsh terrain.
The Camargue has a very compact body powerful chest and muscular limbs.
A heavy often square head which most say points to shared family roots with the barb.
The ears are small set wide apart . The eyes are also set wide with bright intelligence . This breed has well proportioned legs and superbly adapted hooves. Often times referred to as the horse of the sea!
Today The Camargue cowboy up!
Today, owners of this magnificent piece of equine history try to replicate their wild ways as much as possible. An innately wild horse it is still human-friendly and very intelligent.
A semi-feral herd of Camargue horses is called a manade. This term is used mainly in the Camargue area in France for a semi-feral group of Camargue cattle or horses led by a gardian, or herder.
The gardian lives and works similarly to a 19th-century cowboy. Originally the name manade meant sheep herding but now it refers to cattle. The scene of gardians riding these magical horses and bringing in gorgeous black Camargue cattle is a sight to behold. Camargue is used to compete in Rodeo style festivals. They’re popular with trail riding and Endurance riding as well. Some even compete in dressage. Today the Camargue horse competes in shows most notably Northern Camargue at Arles. The amazing parade Fete Des Gardians, Camargue Horses perform show-stopping feats. Camargue horse truly is a versatile mount intelligent and skillful. This is one tough little horse used to herd the Camargue bulls ,used for Camargue bullfighting and rodeo style festivals.
The Camargue horses are a sight to behold. Tough wild and wonderful.
Even with it’s wild spirted nature it still is a gentle human friendly companion! Beloved by photographers and artists. A true jewel of France.
How long do they live?
These hardy horses live between 20 to 25 years. Camargue horses are immune to pests of the region,the most common of which is the annoying mosquito. This pest doesn’t bother the Camargue neither does many other horse ailments. A very exceptional breed indeed.
Where is this amazing horse?
Parc Naturel Régional De Camargue!
Located primarily in Southern France but there are some imported horses to UK ,America and Italy.
Here is a map of the Camargue. Le Camargue.
Are there still wild horses in Camargue? The best place visit to see flamencos and horses Camargue National Park. Located in the marshes of the Rhône delta near the Mediterranean sea. There are still herds of Camargue horses that run wild in France with many being protected in the Camargue National Park, which includes a UNESCO biosphere reserve.
Riding the Camargue
Would these horses be good for beginners or tourists? Yes, their level headed nature makes them excellent for children and tourist.
These are Camargue herdsmen’s children riding in the festival parade Fete Des ! Aren’t they adorable !
There are horse photography tours in Les Saintes Maries de la Mer. Where you can travel in small groups and get expert advice about capturing the horses with your camera lens.
Seeing a Camargue horse in its wild environment it has roamed for over a thousand years is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience that travelers never forget. (Don’t forget the bug spray we are not immune to the little pest like the Camargue) Superbly built and very friendly,(even to Americans) these horses are a pleasure to ride and well worth checking out when you are in France’s southern region. One thousand years produces horses that are loyal, strong, spirited, and love human contact.
Camargue natural park is truly something not to miss if you are in southern France. Sunsets, horses, France what could be better?
At SaveZeFrench we are dedicated to preserving these jewels of France! So many horses have gone extinct.
So many traditional art forms are under threat skills fading.
We have dairies from 300 years ago writing about what freeing fun they had watching the sunset on the back of a Camargue horse while listening to the flamingos. We want to make sure these kinds of experiences are not lost forever to the apathy of the world gone blind. That the lives of the keepers of these traditions are not forgotten.
You can help by purchasing from our shop here or donating here!
All proceeds go to running this site and evolving it to be so much more. Our ultimate goal is to turn this into a fully registered charity. That will help the herdsmen, craftsmen, farmers, and loom spinner so the crafts of skills are not forgotten but Celebrated help us Save Ze French! May no more breeds of excellence slip silently away to disappear into the folds of history fight the apathy and help us today make a difference so there can be a memorable tomorrow.