Poitevin Horse - Profile | Colors | Uses | Grooming

Among all other French breeds, Poitevin or Poitou is a late matured and popular draft horse, originated from the Poitou region of France (now a part of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region). Considering its manifold utilities, grandeur, and gravity, this breed is also named Mulassier, Poitevin Mulassier, Trait Mulassier, or Trait Poitevin Mulassier.

A large head with a straight or slightly Roman nose, and a full and slightly arched neck is a full & slightly arched nose, broad and round Hindquarters, sturdy legs as well as huge legs have made this breed famous. Poitevin Horse has been used for a long for meat production mule breeding and agriculture.

Origin

This horse was brought to the wetlands of La Vendi and Pito in the 17th century. Its ancestors are said to be heavy horses in the Netherlands, Denmark, and Norway. Horses are primarily bred for marijuana that can produce mules.

It was formed in the seventeenth century when Flemish or Dutch-born horses were associated with local horses, brought to the region by an engineer working for the removal of Poitevin horse.

Although it has the shape and structure of a draft horse, Poetvin horse never breeds for draft ability and has rarely been used for draft work.

Its main use was mulberry production. Poitevin horse Marais was fitted with a jacket of donkey’s large Baudette du Poito breed.

As a result, Poitevin horse was demanding agriculture and other work in various parts of the world, including Russia and the United States.

By the beginning of the 20th century, between 50,000 and 20,000 mules a year, about 50,000 broodmares were produced.

Poitevin horse is an endangered species; There were only 3 breeding animals in the country, of which about 5 were stallions.

The horses can be of a solid coat color with a striped right, which is not seen in other French draft horses. Poitevin horse is a slow-growing breed with heavy bones and is not suitable for meat production.

Weight

The weight of a mature horse is about 2600 pounds

Height

The matured horse maintains a height of 15.3 to 17.1 hands

Blood type

The horse is a Cold-blooded animal

Country of Origin

The horse has originated from France (Poitou) in the 17th century from its ancestors Peruvian Paso and Paso Fino

Poitevin Horse Description

The horse possesses:

slender and long body
strong head
convex profile
thick and long ears
sloping shoulders
broad, deep chest
prominent withers
strong hindquarters
powerful legs
large hooves
well-feathered lower legs
long and thick mane and tail

The body of the Poitevin horse is quite slim compared to heavier horses. Also, the body is significantly longer than other French draft varieties.

The breed stands about 165 cm (16.1 hands); the Minimum height for a male horse under five years of age is 165 cm (16.1 hands) and 160 cm (15.3 hands) in the case of Mares. The horse grows slowly, maturing at about 6 to 7 years of age to be completely workable.

The head of the Poitevin horse is slender, long, and strong with a significant convex profile as well as thick, long ears. The neck is long enough to stand high with sloping, smooth shoulders.

The chest is wide and deep, distinguished, and specious. The back is long, wide, and strong. The legs are well developed and strong with large joints.

Poitevin horse has a large ditch, an alternative to the wet environment periodically adapted to the tight and well-drained wetlands on which it was developed.

The back legs are well feathered whereas the tail is long, bushy, and thick. Poitevin horse is gentle, calm, and strong by nature.

Actually historically this breed is known for its slow movement and tension disturbances, though it can produce significant energy when needed.

The breed loves human interaction and shows wit, though it can also be stubborn. The trainer must be patient while the Pietenwyn lacks tolerance.

Poitevin Horse Colors

Poitevin horse has a solid color with minimal white marks. The other common colors are gray, black, dun, brown, chestnut, roan, palomino, and silver dapple.

The wide range of coat colors may have influenced the several varieties that influenced it:

Black and Seal Brown could be obtained from Friesian horses, the Gulf was probably inherited from the Brabant breed, while chestnut and Breton influence.

From Chestnut Rowan to Gray and bay are also common in this breed. Extraordinarily, the Poitevin horse stripe bay can be tan, colored with black, while the tail is with primitive markings.

It can be traced to the Spanish horses of the ancestors of the Flemish horses brought to Poitou in the seventeenth century. No French draft horse exhibits this color.

Poitevin Horse Temperament and Personality

The horse is hardy but possesses a dull and lethargic disposition. It is quite gentle and calm in a general stance. It shows signs of intelligence in need.

The good thing is that it enjoys human contact and interaction, yet can be stubborn some of the time. In case the trainers can understand the body language of the breed, the next phases would be interesting and entertaining.

Poitevin Horse Health

This breed does not have any specific health problems, yet some common health problems such as obesity, infection in the wounds, may take place. Regular vet check-up is recommended.

Poitevin Horse Grooming

Grooming this horse every day will render the handler checking on the breed’s general health, care, and body language. Around 20 minutes of intensive grooming will be good for the horse.

The horses must be groomed before going for their scheduled work. It is also great to groom and cleans up the breed after the workout session.

Take care of the horse’s health care, skin, hoof, and coat. Brush the horse coat regularly. Carefully look into the horse’s coat, hooves, ears, and hair whether there are any injuries, bumps, soreness, or irritations or not.

Grit beneath the saddle or girth or cinch will be uncomfortable for your horse and could cause saddle or girth sores. Bathe the horse after a certain time, preferably once a week.

Over-bathing may damage natural skin oils, and make the coat dry and flaky, leading to skin infections. Some quick spot-cleans, as well as shampoo-less rinses, should be applied regularly for improved results.

Diet

The breed relies on hay, grass, vegetables, lentils, beans, and grain for their survival. Both over and underfeeding are harmful to the horse.

Sometimes, adding some nutritious food like an apple would be a good supplement and reward for the horse.

Poitevin Horse Uses

The slow and sluggish tendency of this horse does not make it particularly effective as a working animal. Despite its futility as a viable horse, Poitevin is a great horse breeder of mules.

They are also used for driving in competition and leisure as well as for pulling carriages, equine therapy, and light agricultural work in vineyards and crop fields

Although the Poitevin horse has the shape and structure of a draft horse, it has never been bred for draft ability and has rarely been used for draft work.

From the seventeenth century until the First World War, its main use was meat production. Poitevin horse was fitted with a jacket of donkey’s big boudet du poitou.

As a result, the Poitevin horse was highly esteemed and from the late nineteenth century, since there was a demand for agriculture and other work in many parts of the world, including Russia and the United States.

In the early twentieth century, about 50,000 Poitevin horse broodmares were produced each year from 18,000 to 20,000 mules.

Poitevin Horse – Profile | Colors | Uses | Grooming | Description