The Comtois horse is an old breed of heavy draft horse from the Franche-Comte region in France.
In the 19th century the breed was further improved with Norman, Boulonnais and Percheron blood, and later Ardennais crosses influencing the breed to produce a stronger horse with improved legs with a free action.
picture of horses
During the 16th century, the breed was used to improve the Burgandy Horse.
Also in the sixteenth century, these horses were originally used as a cavalry horse and artillery horse, and were present in the armies of Louis XIV and later Napoleon Bonaparte.
The breed today are used for hauling wood in the pine forests of the Jura in the mountainous regions of the Massif Central, and for working in the vineyards in the Arbois area.
They are also used to pull sleighs at ski resorts and also bred for the French horsemeat industry and are exported to North Africa for agricultural use.
The height ranges from 14.3 – 15.3hh (1.47 – 1.57m) and body colour is usually bay or chestnut with flaxen mane and tail.
They have a very good natured and posses the ability to learn very quickly.
They are easy to train and hard working animals.
The head is large and square with a straight profile on a strong muscular neck, straight back, sloping croup and shoulders, strong legs with ample feathering and good strong feet.
The mane and tail are both thick.
It also has a tendency towards sickle hocks.
Today, they are bred in the Massif Central, the Pyrenees, and the Apls.
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