French Trotter
French breed of trotting horse
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The French Trotter or Trotteur Français is a French breed of trotting horse bred for racing at the trot, either ridden or in harness.[4]: 132 It was bred specifically for racing in the nineteenth century, principally in Normandy in north-western France.[5]
- Trotteur français
- Anglo-Norman Trotter
- Norman Trotter
Sulky racing at the Hippodrome de Vincennes | |
 Caroline Théault on Vezac Duophi at Toulouse La Cépière in 2016 | |
| Conservation status | FAO (2007): not at risk[1]: 44 |
|---|---|
| Other names |
|
| Country of origin | France |
| Standard | [no standard][2] |
| Use | trotting races |
| Traits | |
| Height |
|
| Colour | solid dark colours[3]: 467 |
History
Ridden trotting races in France were first held at the Champ de Mars of Paris in 1806.[4]: 133 Selective breeding of trotting racehorses began in Normandy in the latter half of the nineteenth century.[5] Initial breeding of what would become the French Trotter was based on the local Carrossier Normand, a now-extinct forerunner of the Norman Cob; outside influences were from British Hackney, Norfolk Trotter, Thoroughbred and half-bred hunter stallions, and later from the American Standardbred.[3]: 467 [5][6]: 157
A stud-book for the French Trotter was started in 1906; eligibility for registration was determined by performance. The breed received official recognition in 1922.[3]: 467 In 1937 the stud-book was closed to horses not bred in France; a small number of registrations of cross-bred horses with Standardbred blood has since been permitted.[4]: 133
Characteristics
There is no breed standard for the French Trotter.[2] It is compact and of medium size – usually between about 154 and 167 cm at the withers – and is most often chestnut or bay.[3]: 467 [2] The shoulder is sloped and the sternum prominent. The facial profile is straight.[2]
Despite the influence of the American Standardbred, which is predominantly a lateral pacing breed, the French Trotter performs an ordinary diagonal trot.[4]: 132 It has greater stamina and endurance than the Standardbred; it reaches maturity more slowly, but may have a longer life as a racer.[3]: 467 It can carry considerable weight, and excels in mounted racing at the trot.[6]: 157
Use
Approximately one third of the foals born each year are eventually selected for racing.[2] They may be raced either in harness to sulkies, or ridden; about ninety per cent of races are in harness. The principal French trotting races are the Prix de Cornulier for ridden trotters, and the Prix d'Amérique for sulky racers.[4]: 133 A few horses excel in both types of race; by 1995, four horses had won the top prize in both disciplines.[4]: 133
The horses not selected as racers may be used for riding, for trekking, in show-jumping or for mounted hunting.[2]
