Fleuve

The origins of the horse in Senegal are not documented.^[4]: 261 The Fleuve derives from Sahel-type horses from the Hodh and Kayes regions of modern-day Mauretania and Mali, to the north of Senegal.^[4]: 262 Those in turn are descended from Barb horses from the Maghreb countries further to the north.^[5]: 14 The Fleuve has been described as a "degenerate Barb".^{[2]: 37–38}

In 1996, Senegal had a horse population of about 400000 head, the largest of any West African country.^[2]: 36 This was a substantial increase from the 216000 reported in 1978,^[5]: 10 and a much greater increase from the population after the Second World War, estimated at barely 30000.^[4]: 260 Population numbers for the Fleuve are not reported.^[1] In 2007 the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations did not have data from which to estimate the conservation status of the breed.^[6]: 101

The Fleuve is normally grey. It is a well-made horse, with a fine head and slender legs; it is energetic, with lively gaits. Poor examples may be too narrow in the chest, or have insufficient bone in the legs.^[5]: 37

Horses play an important part in the social and economic life in Senegal.^[2]: 52 The Fleuve was once the horse of chieftains; it is now used as a saddle-horse and for horse-racing.^[5]: 15

It is also used in cross-breeding: a cross between a Fleuve stallion and an M'Bayar mare gives rise to the type called Foutanké.^[5]: 15