[N: Were on the game a long while ago - Click!]

The French Trotter is a horse breed from Normandy, France, developed in the 19th century from Norman horses with the addition of some English Thoroughbred and Norfolk Trotter blood.

History

Horses in France first began to be selectively bred for trotting races in the early to mid-1800s.The French Trotter developed primarily from Norman stock which was crossed with English Thoroughbred and half-bred hunter types, Norfolk Roadster, and some American Standardbred. The French Trotter is sometimes referred to as a Norman Trotter, due to the influence of the Old Norman horse on the breed's development.

The early Trotters were rather heavier and coarser than they are now, bearing a greater resemblance to their Normandy ancestors, but infusions of Thoroughbred blood have greatly refined the early significant influences on the development of the breed were by the stallion Young Rattler, foaled in 1811, who was by the Thoroughbred, Rattler, out of a mare with a high percentage of Norfolk Roadster blood.

Eventually five impressive Trotting lines were established by the stallions Conquerant, Lavater, Normand, Phaeton, and Fuchsia. Although there have been infusions of American Standardbred blood, the French Trotter has maintained the trotting gait (diagonal two beat) from the trotting line of the Standardbred, as opposed to the pacing gait (lateral two beat) an alternate line of the breed developed for speed.

Characteristics

There is no breed standard for the French Trotter. It stands from 1.55 to 1.75 metres (15.1 to 17.1 hands) at the withers and weighs 500 to 650 kg (1,100 to 1,430 lb). It can be any solid color - usually chestnut, bay or brown.

The Trotters are bred for functional, not aesthetic purposes and there is quite some variation of physical characteristics within the breed. However, in general terms, they tend to have a slightly heavy and large head, which is plain, but not unattractive.

The neck is of good proportional length, and is well set to shoulders which are becoming increasingly sloped. The withers are usually quite rounded, the back broad and strong, with extremely muscular quarters. The legs are very well conformed, being strong and muscular with good joints, hard, dense bone and very hard hooves.

Uses

The French Trotter excels at both ridden and driven trotting races, and maintains a particularly balanced and level stride.

Once its racing career is over it is extensively used as a remount for the Hunts (chasse à courre) in France where substance and economics are more important than equestrianism or turn-out. Its stamina, sure footing, excellent carrying abilities and even character makes it the choice mount for stag, boar and roedeer hunting, although Thoroughbreds and Selle Français may also be in use. An adult well trained trotter can carry a heavy rider for a full day of hunting over rough or heavy terrain and hard tracks, although some advanced huntsmen use remounts during the longest days. Most of the trotters are able to break into a low-gaited and comfortable canter. Their stamina can require an somewhat experienced rider. French Trotters can also make good show-jumpers and many champions have French Trotter blood. Jappeloup, the Seoul individual olympic gold-medallist was got by a French Trotter stallion.

Bump!

they are cute! but as is I am combing lines and possibly cutting down breeds :(

I love French Trotters! But haven't any room for them at the moment...

They're really nice, wish I had time to add another breed. Good luck!

-bumps-

Paints since 6-8-14

I just added a horse breed to my training last week or else I might take them on :/

Aw :( What's one more breed?!?! ;D

I'd like to take them on!

I don’t need any more breeds, but id be interested >_< I’d especially be interested in a partnership 

-bumps the dead thread

even though the last thing Cat needs is a ninth breed

I'd love to have them back on the game. Count me in!