Breton Horse: Breed Profile

The Breton horse may be smaller than your average draft, but this breed packs a ton of power into that smaller package. Bretons are suitable for everything from driving to riding, and the breed’s three subtypes create plenty of variety and versatility. Hardworking and hardy, the Breton is a beautiful French breed.

Breton Horse History and Origins

The Breton horse originated in the Breton mountains of France, but just how the horses first came to be in the area remains a mystery. Those Breton ancestors were bred with oriental horses during the Crusades, and they proved to be desirable military horses during the Middle Ages. The influence of other breeds during the Crusades led to the creation of different Breton breed styles, including a light riding horse and a heavier draft horse type. Crossbreeding continued up through the 1900s, and Arabian and Thoroughbred blood was introduced to create another breed type.

Today, three breed subtypes exist and the Syndicat des Eleveurs de Cheval Breton regulates the Breton breed. All breed types are registered together and the official stud book has been closed to outside breed influences since 1951. Breeding is still concentrated in France, since the stud book will only register horses that were foaled in Brittany or Loire-Atlantique.

Breton Horse Size

Breton horses fall within three different breed types, each having slightly different physical characteristics. The Corlay Breton is a smaller version of the breed, standing between 14.3 and 15.1 hands. It has draft features but thanks to Arabian and Thoroughbred crosses, it also has a smaller stature.

The Postier Breton is influenced by the Hackney and the English Norfolk Trotter. It averages 15.1 hands high and its lighter build makes it a great carriage horse.

The Heavy Draft Breton is the largest type. Averaging between 15.2 and 16.2 hands high, it’s influenced by larger draft breeds like the Ardennes and Percheron. Its shorter legs mean that while it isn’t terribly tall, it’s plenty powerful.

Breeding and Uses

Breeding practices were once concentrated in Brittany, but programs do exist throughout France (though horses must be born in certain regions to be eligible for registration). The Breton has also been exported and you can find this breed all over the world.

Thanks to the existence of multiple breed subtypes, the Breton is quite versatile. These horses are still used for farm work, but the different breed types have added versatility and you can find the Breton working as a carriage horse, a riding horse, and more.

Colors and Markings

Traditionally, Breton horses have chestnut coats and flaxen colored manes and tails. Other colors do occur within the breed, though, and you’ll see bay, roan, and grey Bretons