History Boulonnais horse

engraving of boulonnais, 1861

one theory states origins of boulonnais breed emerged crossbreeding of native french mares , stallions brought numidian army in 55–54 bc. however, many equine scholars skeptical of theory, , state that, whatever origins, later selective breeding , local climate , soil types had greater influence on breed oriental blood. during crusades, 2 breeders, eustache, comte de boulogne, , later robert, comte d artois, wanted create fast, agile, , strong warhorse knights ride in battle. crossed existing heavy french stallions german mecklenberg mares, similar modern-day hanoverians. during 17th-century spanish occupation of flanders, mixture of spanish barb, arabian, , andalusian blood added breed, create modern boulonnais. 17th century, horse dealers coming boulonnais district picardy , upper normandy buy local horses, enjoyed reputation among breeders. late 18th through mid-19th century, boulonnais spread across france , europe; during time, breed increased in size industrial revolution called larger horses retained active movement of original type. beginning in 1830s, proposed cross arabian boulonnais create new type of cavalry horse, , in 1860s, calls put forth add thoroughbred blood same reason. however, breeders rejected these calls, stating using breed create cavalry horses make them poorer draft horses. breed societies discouraged crosses between boulonnais , brabant. in june 1886, studbook created breed in france, , placed under jurisdiction of syndicat hippique boulonnais (shb) in 1902.

during 20th century, boulonnais imported united states in large numbers, registered along other french heavy horse breeds french draft horse . breed members in united states registered anglo-norman horse association (or national norman horse association) beginning in 1876, association renamed national french draft association in 1885. association declared in 1876 boulonnais, norman, percheron , picardy breeds same, , should known norman horse . later declared of norman horses in fact percherons , regardless of actual breeding. designed sell mixed breed draft horses american consumers @ higher prices, , illinois board of agriculture ruled percherons came proven percheron stock registered such, , other breeds, including boulonnais, considered separately. boulonnais exported france austria, although saw little success there, , breeding stallions sent argentina.

20th century , today

a modern boulonnais, shown in-hand, 2011

the boulonnais once popular workhorse in france, estimated population of on 600,000 in 1900s. world war , world war ii destroyed breed, home area saw heavy combat in both wars , bands of broodmares scattered. between world war ii , 1970s, breed became extinct, , few breeders kept alive. in 1970s, became popular horse meat, , consumers considered of best meat available. however, point, there fewer 1,000 mares remaining. during mid-20th century, stallions fréthun (foaled in 1949), select (1962), trésor (1963), astérix (1966) , prince (1981) had strong influence on breed, although contributed problem of inbreeding. fréthun genes found in 14 percent of pedigrees of boulonnais living today. in 1970s, henry blanc, newly appointed director of french national stud, proposed 9 draft horse breeds, including boulonnais, recategorized pulling horses meat horses. when enacted, recategorization helped preserve gene pool of boulonnais encouraging breeding, changed primary purpose, resulting in dramatic weight increase 1980s.

the boulonnais still bred in small numbers, american boulonnais horse association estimating population of fewer 1,000 animals remaining in europe. many studs government-funded, prevent breed dying out. majority of breed, 95 percent, located in nord-pas-de-calais , normandy regions , 75 percent in pas-de-calais department of nord-pas-de-calais alone. although boulonnais in france, few exported. in 1999, fifteen foals exported brazil , 1 stallion argentina. on average, little on dozen horses year exported, brazil , belgium breeding , germany forestry work. few horses live in netherlands, switzerland , luxembourg, in north america. since 2006, twenty horses, including 2 registry-approved breeding stallions, have been exported france denmark create stud farm in country.

the french national stud, haras nationaux, allows registration of horses bred using artificial insemination , embryo transfer, not allow registration of cloned horses. considers breed endangered, along several other french draft breeds. 2009 study of french equine genetics proposed boulonnais, along 4 other french breeds, should conservation priority, goal of maintaining maximum genetic variability in france s native horse population. follows studies done 1983 showed inbreeding , lack of genetic diversity in breed.