Poitevin Horses - anyone know much about them?

[Rambling Horse]

Hi, I know I'm not the most active forum member.
But I was browsing the web the other day and somehow stumbled upon the Poitevin horse breed, and I think they're absolutely beautiful. I know they're from France, used to breed mules and endangered, but does anyone have any personal experience with them/know of any or anything else about them? Good and bad?

I read somewhere they can't be exported abroad? Is that true?

I'm not looking to buy one as I am in no position for another horse. But should I find myself in that position I'd consider one going off what I've seen.

 

[Pilatesclare]

I don't know anything about them sorry but I did find this thread which might help http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?712499-Poitevin-Horses

 

[Snowfilly]

They are a lovely breed, I think, like most of the continental heavies which haven't been messed around with for fashion like a lot of ours.

I've met a couple in France and been impressed, although they're not the nicest looking, they're calm natured and good workers. The mules they get are stunning! Both had very flat feet and rather odd lower legs, I gather this is a trait of the breed, possibly from the marshy conditions they originated from. Good sloping shoulders and very solidly built.

I believe the french national stud stands a couple, and did at one time run a small mare herd for mules? Perhaps someone wih more French than me could take a look at their website.

Certainly never heard about the export rule; France is normally very happy to sell us their drafts.

If you find any pics, please share!

 

[GirlFriday]

Oh, they do look nice but our native Suffolk is also (more) gorgeous and endangered too.

 

[Rambling Horse]

I don't know anything about them sorry but I did find this thread which might help http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?712499-Poitevin-Horses

I've spent a great deal of time looking at that sale page... thankfully I can't speak a word of French so am unable to be tempted into investigating further! Although it is limiting my ability to find out more people's experiences with them.

They are a lovely breed, I think, like most of the continental heavies which haven't been messed around with for fashion like a lot of ours.

I've met a couple in France and been impressed, although they're not the nicest looking, they're calm natured and good workers. The mules they get are stunning! Both had very flat feet and rather odd lower legs, I gather this is a trait of the breed, possibly from the marshy conditions they originated from. Good sloping shoulders and very solidly built.

I believe the french national stud stands a couple, and did at one time run a small mare herd for mules? Perhaps someone wih more French than me could take a look at their website.

Certainly never heard about the export rule; France is normally very happy to sell us their drafts.

If you find any pics, please share!

Yes, that's why I'm so drawn to them. I love a hairy heavy horse, and I really dislike the way some breeds have been treated for 'fashion' (I think Friesians looked better with more bone and hair, for instance). They still seem so natural in comparison and I really like that they come in Dun, although I know colour shouldn't come into it.

In what way were their lower legs odd? I've not encountered anything about this before?

I meant exports outside of Europe; I've been toying with the idea of moving to Canada (still a student, lots of time to decide) and read somewhere that they have a bloodbourne disease brought about by ticks?

Oh, they do look nice but our native Suffolk is also (more) gorgeous and endangered too.

Yes, Suffolks are gorgeous too! Although my personal preference is with lots of mane and feather, something Suffolks lack. And I've never got on with chestnuts, although I know that's a generalisation. And I'd certainly not rule one out.
I agree that it is very sad that so many heavy breeds are low in number, I feel they should be made more aware of and appreciated for being the heavy horses they are. They're wonderful breeds in their own right.

 

[Palindrome]

They are a lovely breed, I think, like most of the continental heavies which haven't been messed around with for fashion like a lot of ours.

I've met a couple in France and been impressed, although they're not the nicest looking, they're calm natured and good workers. The mules they get are stunning! Both had very flat feet and rather odd lower legs, I gather this is a trait of the breed, possibly from the marshy conditions they originated from. Good sloping shoulders and very solidly built.

I believe the french national stud stands a couple, and did at one time run a small mare herd for mules? Perhaps someone wih more French than me could take a look at their website.

Certainly never heard about the export rule; France is normally very happy to sell us their drafts.

If you find any pics, please share!

I think the lower leg thing is a short and upright pastern that is meant to be better for agricultural work of pulling heavy weight and ploughing.

 

[Cortez]

I think the tick-bourne disease that excludes export to US/Canada is piroplasmosis. Any horses imported there would need to have a blood test certifying them piro free.