Limousin horse

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Limousin horse

The Limousin was a French horse breed from the Limousin region. It existed from the 12th century to the early 20th century and was used as a saddle horse and to pull carriages. The breed came from a mix of French native mares, Iberian horses, English Thoroughbreds, Arabians, and Anglo-Arabians.

In medieval France, especially in Aquitaine, the Limousin was highly valued. It served nobles, armies, and crusaders, and was praised in later centuries as one of the best French horses. It was a popular riding horse for fox hunting, field hunting, and show hunting, and was bred at places like the Pompadour stud farm.

The Limousin was a medium-sized horse, usually bay or gray, standing about 14.2 to 15.2 hands high (58–62 inches, 147–157 cm). It had a long head with a convex profile, strong but small feet, and great agility, making it well suited for light cavalry and dressage.

During the Napoleon era it was often used by the army, which helped reduce its numbers. In the 19th century it mixed with Arabian and Thoroughbred lines, and the pure Limousin breed declined in the early 20th century. In 1958, the Limousin was merged into the Selle Français, a newer French sport horse.