Mérens horses

S

SKY

Well-Known Member
Joined
11 July 2010
Messages
1,770
Visit site
please tell me all about them, just heard about them on another thread, went to look them up and they are stunning horses/ponies. but very hard to find much more about them, than the basic info on them. is there any in northern ireland, ireland. any links to breeders. also how expensive do they come. didnt even know the breed till an hour ago and now i want to learn more on them. just really interested in them.

so all info and pic and links welcome. thanks
 
Hi :)

Mérens horses are a traditional and ancient native French breed. they originate in the Ariége region of France up int he Pyrenees, close to the border of Andorra.

They are traditionally a farming work horse (as with many native breeds).

After the advent of the motorised farming equipemnt numbers dropped off rapidly, and by the 1970s they were at risk of extinction, with only 40 registered horses. At this time a plan of action was put into place to help save the breed. they were reclassified as a pony for marketability and numbers steadily increased. In the late 1990s they were reclassifed again as blood horses, and the upper height limit was removed.

This lead to an increase in breeding lines, and currently there are two types of Mérens; the traditional mountain breed, where they remain true ponies, with heights averaging 13.1 for mares and about 14.0 for males.

For Mérens not bred in the mountains (and causes all kinds of arguments about "real" Mérens amongst enthusiasts) due to naturally better forage, they tend to be taller, with mares averaging about 14.0 and males averageing about 14.3.

The sire of my colt is HUGE for a Mérens, standing just over 16.0 :D and his mum is a full up 14.2 too, though obviously different "types"

Mérens are always black, only a small star is permitted, (no socks or blazes allowed); the foal coat is often tinted coffee or silver, but this sheds out.

I believe there is one farm in the UK which imports Mérens horses, but there is no official recognition from the studbook for animals bred outside of France, and one tiny pocket of Italy.

Stallions are graded at three for paces, conformation, dressage, jumping, xc and driving (don't jump on me... this is France we're talking about, I can't do anything about it ;) )

At the moment there are approximately 140 approved stallions, and about 400 approved mares (so horses over 3 years old); approximately 150 foals are registered each year, so we're not talking massive numbers of horses available!

If your French is any good the Wiki page is a good start of sources of information http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mérens_(cheval)

Because they are still a fairly rare breed, it is almost impossible to find geldings for sale (colts are usually kept entire until they are graded); and if you do find geldings for sale then they usually have something off conformation wise.

Weanlings cost anywhere from 500-2000€ (depending on breeding) and by the time they are three years old upwards of 5000€ depending on how far their training has come on.

Mérens can turn their hoof to anything, but are exceptional randonnée and TREC horses. They are naturally inquisitive and courageous, and exceptionally sure footed.

Roka du Gay (2005 stallion)
Roka3a.jpg


Salsa de la Gaout (2006 mare)
Blitz2ndday.jpg


Blitz von Illmatten (2011 colt)
FILE0038.jpg


Hope this helps... if you want anything more, just ask :)
 
thanks, also checked out that website but only have 1 for sale, has to be more in uk. they are lovely.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top