Breed Registries | History & Origin |Population | Uses | Conformation

Camargue Pony History & Origin

The Camargue is one of the oldest breeds in the world. The area where the Camargue is bred is contained within a triangle in the south of France. Montpellier is to the west, Tarascon to the north and Fos to the east, passing through Salon de Provence, an area which thus encompasses the "Ile de Camargue ", the plains of the Gard and the Hérault, and part of the Crau. In 1928 the Camargue Regional Park was established to protect the horses and cattle of Camargue from human encroachment. The climate of the Camargue is harsh, being either scorchingly hot beneath a fierce sun or whipped by icy winds blowing from the Alps.

The Camargue, often called "the horse of the sea," has existed in this region since prehistoric times. Some suggest it is a descendant of the now extinct Soutré horse, whose bones were found in the southeast of France yet its exact origins are still shrouded in mystery. Through the centuries many armies have passed by the Camargue, including the Greeks, Romans and Arabs. The horses brought with these armies influenced the Camargue over time. It has even been suggested that the Camargue has had some influence on the early breeds in Spain as armies took them back home.

The Camargue is a rugged horse and breeds very true to type -- to the extent that it can be difficult to tell one from another. This horse is lively but has a good nature when trained to ride.

Camargue Pony Population & Evolution

The Camargue breed was well appreciated by the Celtic and Roman invaders that entered the Iberian Peninsula, and as a result this genealogy is closely tied with Spanish breeds especially those in the northern part of the peninsula. The original Spanish "jaca" was probably a cross between the Celtic Pony and the Camargue and it was later improved further by crosses with northern European horse types and ultimately with the southern peninsular horse as the Moors spread their influence towards the Pyrenees. As a result, the Camargue genes very probably penetrated America through the influence of the "jaca" warhorses that were taken to these inhospitable lands where hardiness was a requirement. Breeds such as the Chilean Horse and Criollo show signs of some characteristics that are common in the Camargue breed.

In 1976, in order to preserve the standards and purity of the breed, the French government set standards for the breed and started registering the main breeders of the Camargue horse. In 1978, they set up the breed Stud Book. In order to be registered, foals must be born out of doors, and must be seen to suckle from a registered mare as proof of parentage. Foals born inside the defined Camargue region are registered sous berceau (“in birthplace”), while those born elsewhere are registered hors berceau ("out of the birthplace"). These tough little horses have the heavy, square heads of primitive horses, but the influence of Arabian, Barb and Thoroughbred blood can also be seen. The guardians look after the horses and they are rounded up for annual inspections, branding and gelding of unsuitable stock.

The horses of the Camargue run wild in the marshlands in small herds consisting of one stallion, his mares and progeny. The fillies are usually caught and branded as yearlings and colts thought to be unsuitable for breeding are gelded at three years old. The breed is strictly protected today. Breeding is semi-wild but under supervision of the Biological Research Station of la Tour du Valat. Because of their somewhat isolated environment, humans have been able to observe the social interactions and lifestyles of wild horses. The Camargue has contributed greatly to human understanding of equine behavior that might have otherwise never been researched.

Camargue Pony Uses

Their calm temperament, agility, intelligence and stamina has resulted in these horses being used for equestrian games, dressage, and long distance riding, which is growing in popularity in France.

Camargue Pony Conformation

Large and square head with a straight or slightly convex profile. The eyes are large and expressive and the ears are broad and short with a broad base. The neck is short and muscular, deep at the base, the withers are pronounced, the back is straight and short.

The croup is short and narrow, the chest wide and deep. The shoulder is rather straight and quite short; the mane and tail are long and thick. The legs are extremely hardy with clean joints, a long forearm, and very good hooves.