Auxois
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This article may be expanded with text translated from the corresponding article in the French Wikipedia. (June 2011) Click [show] on the right for instructions.
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 Auxois horses at the Salon International de l'Agriculture 2011 in Paris |
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| Country of origin | France |
|---|---|
| Breed standards | |
| Centre de promotion de la race du cheval de trait auxois | Breed standards |
| Horse (Equus ferus caballus) | |
Originally from the Côte-d'Or and Yonne region of France, the Auxois breed is a descendant of the old Burgundian horse, dating back to the Middle Ages. There are very few left, although efforts are being made to maintain the breed, particularly around the Cluny Stud and the fertile areas of Yonne and Saône-et-Loire.
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[edit] History
In the 19th century there was an infusion of Boulonnais and Percheron blood, as well as the Ardennais and Trait Du Nord, which increased the overall size of the Auxois. They are closely related to the Ardennais, and since the beginning of the 20th century, only Ardennais blood has been used to improve the Auxois. They are now somewhat taller than the Ardennais. Both breeds are selectively bred for the horsemeat market due to their mass.
The Auxois was widely used in the transport industry and, with the advent of mechanisation, suffered dramatically in numbers, like many draft breeds. Today they are strictly protected and monitored by the Syndicat du Cheval de Trait Ardennais de L'Auxois which is based in Dijon, and has kept the studbook of the breed since 1913[1].
[edit] Breed characteristics
The Auxois has a kind, quiet and biddable temperament which, combined with endurance, makes it highly suitable for heavy draft and farm work. It is usually either bay or roan in colour, but can sometimes be chestnut.
It stands 1.60–1.70 metres (15.3–16.3 hands) high,[2] and weighs 750–1,100 kg (1,700–2,400 lb).[3] They usually have a light head, with a broad forehead and small alert ears. They are very stoutly built, having a short, thickset neck, flattish withers, and a deep, wide chest. Generally they are broad through the back, and have a long, sloping, muscular croup with a low-set tail. The shoulders are also reasonably sloping which allows for good freedom of movement in all gaits.
The horses have particularly powerful legs which are slender in proportion to their body size, with a very muscular forearm and short, dense cannon bones. Many horses are branded with the letters TX on the left side of the neck[1].
Compared to the Ardennais, the Auxois is finer in the legs and have smaller hindquarters. They are not heavily feathered and can move surprisingly freely and quickly for their bulk. They are well-built and, like the Ardennais, have an enormous pulling capacity.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ a b Bongianni, Maurizio (1988). Simon & Schuster's Guide to Horses and Ponies. Simon & Schuster, Inc.. pp. 91. ISBN 0-671-66068-3.
- ^ L'Auxois Centre de promotion de la race du cheval de trait auxois. Les Haras Nationaux (in French) Accessed August 2011
- ^ Nathalie van der Schoor Cheval de trait auxois Le Saboteur (in French) Accessed August 2011 "The Auxois draught horse"
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