Camargue horse

Description:

The Camargue horse is an ancient breed of horse indigenous to the Camargue area in southern France. Its origins remain relatively unknown, although it is generally considered one of the oldest breeds of horses in the world. For centuries, possibly thousands of years, these small horses have lived wild in the harsh environment of the Camargue marshes and wetlands of the Rhone delta, which covers part of the départements of Gard and Bouches-du-Rhone. There they developed the stamina, hardiness and agility for which they are known today. Traditionally, they live in semi-feral conditions in the marshy land of the region. Camargue horses are always gray. This means that they have black skin underlying a white hair coat as adult horses. They are born with a hair coat that is black or dark brown in colour, but as they grow to adulthood, their hair coat becomes ever more intermingled with white hairs until it is completely white. They are small horses, generally standing 135–150 centimetres at the withers, and weighing 350 to 500 kg. Despite their small size, they have the strength to carry grown adults. Considered rugged and intelligent, they have a short neck, deep chest, compact body, well-jointed, strong limbs and a full mane and tail. Their broad hooves are evolutionary adaptions to their wet environment. Camargue horses are not shod." A cattle egret (Bubulcus ibis) is also featured.

Habitat:

Marshes of The Camargue, wetlands of the Rhone delta, and environs. "The Camargue is a triangular area lying on the coast between the Languedoc-Roussillon and Provence. It is a river delta where the Rhône meets the sea - a marshy island bounded by two branches of the Rhône and the Mediterranean Sea. With an area of over 930 km², the Camargue is western Europe's largest river delta, with exceptional biological diversity, and home to unique breeds of Camargue horses and Camargue bulls, and to more than 400 species of birds including pink flamingoes."

Notes:

This is an old spotting that I happened upon today. It was a thrill then to see this special ancient breed of indigenous semi-wild horse that continues to inhabit and represent, The Camargue.