Breed of the Month: Selle Français

BREED OF THE MONTH

The French Saddle Horse: le Cheval de Selle Français

An example of another European country’s response to a need for a lighter, faster sport horse.

Although le Che- Selle Français show val de Selle Français jumpers. They are also (the “French Saddle used for dressage and Horse,” in English) eventing. didn’t officially be- Then there is ancome a breed until other side to this breed 1958, it began develop- that relies on their ing as a warmblood- good temperament type at French gov- and intelligence: the ernment stud farms in French Garde in Paris the 1800s. After World includes a prestigious War II was over, there mounted division of was much less need for the French police, and farm and military hors- the Garde all ride Selle es, so attention turned Français. to breeding saddle These horses are horses. When the hors- generally big, aves coming from many eraging 16 hands different districts start- high. While all coled to resemble each ors are accepted, the other, the French gov- most common colors ernment stepped in and brought studbook, a Selle Français must be are chestnut and bay. They are them all together under the name inspected in three categories. To quite athletic and muscular, with le Cheval de Selle Français. pass inspection, a horse must get deep chests and broad hindquarThe name is generally short- a grade of at least a 75% overall. ters. They have attractive and ened to Selle Français, and in The main goal is to determine if refined heads with long and case you don’t speak French, it’s the way a horse is built will likely elegant necks. pronounced, “SELL fron SAY.” allow it to remain in good shape The size and strength of the This breed is actually the result of through a lifetime of competition. Selle Français, along with their hundreds of years of testing and The graded categories are: gentle and affectionate natures, fine-tuning the perfect national • Jumping ability (counts as 30% have made them very popular in racehorse by the French. Even of grade) the United States. If you are lookthe method of grading horses • Conformation (counts as 40% of ing for a horse, maybe you should for breeding Selle Français has grade) consider this import from France: less to do with breed type and • Movement (counts as 30% of plenty of power, lots of speed, easy blood lines than is typical of most grade) to handle and great lines. other breeds. These horses are bred for sport, Take one home, today — s’il To earn registration in the breed and there have been many famous vous plaît! n

by Nancy Norton, Executive Editor

The French Republican Guard Cavalry. Photo: David Monniaux