Renowned for their powerful build and gentle nature, the Auxois is a French breed of a draft horse.
Bred in the Burgundy region of France, this big breed is used for both leisure riding and agricultural work.
If you’re thinking of adding an Auxois horse to your stables, here’s what you need to know about them.
Auxois Horse Breed Info
Here are some of the key things you need to know about the Auxois horse:
Height (size) | 16.0 – 17.0 hands high |
Colors | Bay to roan, chestnut to red roan, steel gray, bay black |
Country of Origin | France |
Common Uses | Milk and meat production, riding, driving, farm work, parades, historical re-enactments, equestrian tourism, logging |
Auxois Horse Facts & Information (Breed Profile)
The Auxois is a breed of draft horse that was developed in the Auxois region of eastern France.
The Auxois horse is closely related to the Ardennais.
Although the origins of this breed are unknown, some sources suggest that their ancestors were the Burgandy horses, a powerful breed that was ridden by knights during the Middle Ages.
During the 19th century, the modern Auxois emerged as a result of crossing local “Bourgignons” (from Burgundy) mares with Ardennes and Trait du Nord stallions, and also some Percherons and Boulonnais, and the now-extinct Morvan horses.
In 1913, the Auxois was officially recognized as a distinct breed.
As a result of the World Wars and the increasing prevalence of mechanization, the population of Auxois decreased to such a low level that purebred Ardennais blood had to be introduced to prevent further inbreeding.
This breed, bred for its gigantic size, did not take root in other nations because of the tremendous quantity of food they needed.
They are still bred in France, mainly to serve the country’s meat industry.
During the 20th century, stallions of the Trait du Nord and the Ardennes breed were used in an effort to improve the breed’s overall size and strength.
If you’re interested in learning more about this fascinating breed, keep reading!
Alternative Names
n/a
Temperament/Personality
Easy to handle
Physical Characteristics
Head is short with a wide forehead and small ears.
Neck is muscular and well-set, and the body is massive with a wide chest and a short back.
Colors
Bay to roan, chestnut to red roan, steel gray, bay black
Height (size)
16.0 – 17.0 hands high
Stallions
16.1 – 17.0 hh
Mares
16.0 – 16.3 hh
Weight
1850 – 2100 lb (850 – 950 kg)
Blood Type
Cold
Common Uses
Milk and meat production, riding, driving, farm work, parades, historical re-enactments, equestrian tourism, logging
Health
n/a
Popular Traits
Strong with great endurance
Feeding/Diet
n/a
Country of Origin
France
Ancestors
Bourgignon, Ardennes, Trait du Nord, Percheron, Boulonnais