Other names | Merlerautin |
---|---|
Country of origin | France |
Distribution | Le Merlerault |
Use | To ride and tilbury pulling |
Traits | |
Height |
|
Distinguishing features | A square head, shoulder well defined, short hindquarters, graceful legs. |
The Merlerault is a formerly common breed of horse that originated in the canton of Le Merlerault. Bred under the Old Regime, this reputedly elegant half-bred was used to ride and pull tilburys.
Another common name for these horses is "Merlerautin". [1]
The breed is sometimes erroneously referred to as "Mellerauds", notably by M. Cardini, who also claims (incorrectly) that Merlerault horses were once raised semi-wild in the woods.
The Merlerault is the oldest known breeding cradle of horses in Normandy. [2] [3] A breeding tradition has existed there for centuries, [4] with secular and religious guilds establishing stud farms as early as the Middle Ages. [5] However, according to Jacques Mulliez, the breed of this name is not that old, [6] despite traditions dating back to the Crusades or the Merovingian kings.
Maximilien de Béthune, Duke of Sully, designated the Le Merlerault region as Normandy's horse production center; [2] [7] this first stud farm was replaced in 1730 by the Haras du Pin. [2]
According to Bernard Denis (2012), Merlerault horses are "probably an artificial breed" created by the nobility from purebred horses. [8] This breed was very popular at the end of the Old Regime. [8] Le Merlerault supplied the nobility with saddle horses in the 17th and 18th centuries. [4]
The Merlerault is an elegant half-breed [9] of medium size, with a square head on a well-set neck. [10] The shoulder is well defined, the hindquarters short, the legs graceful but sometimes a little spindly. [10] The hocks may lack sharpness, and the animal is lightly built, with broad shoulders, agility, and speed. [10]
The Merlerault horse is particularly suited to ride and tilbury pulling. [10]
The breed originated in the Alençon area, particularly in the department of Orne. [11]
In the middle of the 19th century, the Merlerault was the second most numerous horse breed in Normandy after the Cotentin. [12]
Other names | Merlerautin |
---|---|
Country of origin | France |
Distribution | Le Merlerault |
Use | To ride and tilbury pulling |
Traits | |
Height |
|
Distinguishing features | A square head, shoulder well defined, short hindquarters, graceful legs. |
The Merlerault is a formerly common breed of horse that originated in the canton of Le Merlerault. Bred under the Old Regime, this reputedly elegant half-bred was used to ride and pull tilburys.
Another common name for these horses is "Merlerautin". [1]
The breed is sometimes erroneously referred to as "Mellerauds", notably by M. Cardini, who also claims (incorrectly) that Merlerault horses were once raised semi-wild in the woods.
The Merlerault is the oldest known breeding cradle of horses in Normandy. [2] [3] A breeding tradition has existed there for centuries, [4] with secular and religious guilds establishing stud farms as early as the Middle Ages. [5] However, according to Jacques Mulliez, the breed of this name is not that old, [6] despite traditions dating back to the Crusades or the Merovingian kings.
Maximilien de Béthune, Duke of Sully, designated the Le Merlerault region as Normandy's horse production center; [2] [7] this first stud farm was replaced in 1730 by the Haras du Pin. [2]
According to Bernard Denis (2012), Merlerault horses are "probably an artificial breed" created by the nobility from purebred horses. [8] This breed was very popular at the end of the Old Regime. [8] Le Merlerault supplied the nobility with saddle horses in the 17th and 18th centuries. [4]
The Merlerault is an elegant half-breed [9] of medium size, with a square head on a well-set neck. [10] The shoulder is well defined, the hindquarters short, the legs graceful but sometimes a little spindly. [10] The hocks may lack sharpness, and the animal is lightly built, with broad shoulders, agility, and speed. [10]
The Merlerault horse is particularly suited to ride and tilbury pulling. [10]
The breed originated in the Alençon area, particularly in the department of Orne. [11]
In the middle of the 19th century, the Merlerault was the second most numerous horse breed in Normandy after the Cotentin. [12]