Camargue Horses

As the name suggests, these horses come from the Camargue, a wetland area at the mouth of the River Rhône. The Camargue horse is one of the oldest breeds in the world. At birth they are coloured dark brown or black, but turn white around the fourth year. 

Horses of the Camargue run wild - or at least semi-wild - in small herds consisting of one stallion, his mares and progeny. Its a rugged horse, lively but have a good nature and are particularly suited for riding. 

They will travel long distances with ease and are capable of enduring extreme weather and extended periods without food. Their broad hooves are evolutionary adaptions to their wet environment. 

Their riders are called gardens, where the name is coming from the name of the region / department, Gard in French county Languedoc-Roussillon. They are using the horse to herd their cattle. The Camargue horse is a herbivore. Teeth are adapted for eating grasses and herb.  

The horses' behaviour is regulated by the amount of food available. When it is scarce the Camargue horse may graze for up to 22 hours a day. When it is plentiful, it will graze only at dawn and dusk.