Selle Français Horse
| Height | 15.1 to 17.3 hands high, although most stand above 16 hands |
| Weight | 1,300 lb |
| Physique | Large, muscular, powerful |
| Best Suited For | Horse owners and riders with some experience in handling larger horses |
| Lifespan | 30 years |
| Temperament | Smart, energetic, friendly, patient, easy to train |
| Comparable Breeds | French Trotter Horse, Anglo-Norman Horse |
Selle Français Horse Breed History
The Selle Français Horse breed of horse from France, specifically from Normandy, developed in the 19th century. Norfolk Trotter stallions were crossed with native mares, as were Thoroughbred stallions. These horses were considered half-blood horses, appearing in even more regions of France. Various horse types were often named for their area of origin.
It was not until 1958 that this Selle Français Horse breed was created by grouping all the half-blood regional horses in France under one name. Some breeds include the Charolais, the Vendeen, and the Anglo-Norman. This was done to come up with a breed of sports horse that would be able to answer the needs of modern society that required horses for sporting and leisure purposes.
Selle Français Horse is also referred to as the French Saddle Horse.
As many local horses were crossed with Anglo-Arabians, French Trotters, and Thoroughbreds in this breeding program, the first Selle Français horses were genetically very diverse; that of Norman origin was, of course, the most obvious. Over time, this breed has become progressively more refined and a much sought-after sport horse.
Breeding still takes place in Normandy. However, the horse is now bred in several other countries. Isolation of the Selle Français has contributed to other breeds.
Breed Traits
Selle Français’s horse breed is patient and gentle, yet calm, intelligent, and energetic. The horses learn quickly, and they are talented, spirited, and full-of-life horses, bold but easy to train. You would have great fun with these horses because they would be good at a wide variety of tasks like riding, mounted athletics, work, and dressage.
This athletic Selle Français breed is outstanding in jumping.
Overall Description
The overall characteristics of the Selle Français horse breed are athletic and muscular, yet the profile is elegant with a light frame.
By appearance and size, the Selle Français horse is very much similar to that of a Thoroughbred, but you can easily recognize that a Selle Français is a bit heavier in build. Again, the Selle Français has a head that comes much closer in resemblance to the French Trotter than to the Thoroughbred.
First of all, examine a Selle Français horse; you will find that this breed has a convex or straight facial profile, a broad forehead, a large head, besides an elegant, powerful, long neck with a good connection to the withers. The legs are muscular, and strong, with hard hooves and wide joints.
These horses also have a deep chest and a croup that is slightly oblique and muscular. The shoulders are sloping, the body is strong throughout with a long length, the back is straight, and the hindquarters are powerful, thus these horses are accomplished jumpers.
The temperament of Selle Français suggests that they are friendly, patient, and intelligent.
Colors
Even though the Selle Français horse breed can produce all colors equine in nature, the most common ones are dark colors – bay, brown, and chestnut. Other colors witnessed rather frequently amongst these horses are gray and roan. In addition, white markings, including those on the lower legs, may be present within the Selle Français breed.
Temperament
While temperaments may vary between individual Selle Francais horses, the breed has secured a very strong reputation for intelligence and learning ability. Most of these horses possess energetic, friendly personalities along with willing work ethics.
It is because of this sensitivity and energy that makes them progress to the top level of equestrian sport, but hotter Selle Francais horses are not always suitable for timid riders.
One such study of school horses compared Selle Francais horses to draft breeds. It was found that these horses have higher tactile sensitivity and activity, though this reactivity decreases with age and could represent that the older Selle Francais horse breed is better suited for low-level riders.
Grooming Requirements
You can live by a general equine grooming routine to have your Selle Français clean. Grooming sessions are also a great way to bond with your horse.
You can use a mild shampoo designed for horses when you need to so that you will be able to clean the skin and coat. This will, of course, not always be necessary, especially when brushing is adequate.
To groom your Selle Français, you might want to start with the cleaning out of his hooves using a hoof pick. Be sure, as well, to inspect the hooves simultaneously to make sure that there are no signs of infection or injury.
When you’ve cleaned the hooves, you could do the coat. Using a curry comb in circular motions would help you sweep away all the debris and dirt that may stick to the horse’s coat. In sensitive areas, however, such as the lower legs and the head, you should not make use of a curry comb but a body brush. Being a soft tool, it will therefore be very helpful in removing more of the dirt and dust from the coat. You could also use a dandy brush to get the coat clean by using swipe and flick motions. Then, when you have gotten the coat to be shiny sleek, and clean, you could move on to the tail and mane using a mane comb and a tail brush to remove all the tangles and get it smooth and soft. Finally, with a clean, soft, and damp cloth, you could clean the sensitive areas near your horse’s ears and eyes at the end of each session.
Health Problems
Studies have shown that Selle Francais foals are more prone to developmental orthopedic disease compared to Thoroughbred foals. As a rule, good feeding practices promoting only moderate growth rates, combined with regular light physical activity, reduce these risks.
Studies investigating the risk factors for certain lameness found show jumping horses had a higher incidence of foot-related lameness than horses from other disciplines. Selle Francais horse breed is commonly used for show jumping and may be at higher risk of these problems.
Stressors from training and competition are associated with an increased risk of both musculoskeletal injury and digestive problems in all performance horses. In one study, the most prevalent disorders in eventing horses were gastric ulcers and joint problems.
Care and Management
While performance horses are inherently at risk for a variety of health concerns, quality basic horse care can help keep your Selle Francais healthy and competing at the best possible level. Good management emphasizes the physical and mental well-being of athletic horses through preventive care.
Work with your veterinarian and other equine health professionals to establish a total wellness program based on the following:
- Veterinary Exams: Provide regular veterinary care to identify health issues early on. Regularly scheduled lameness exams offer an opportunity for early injury detection.
- Vaccinations: Develop a regular vaccination program recommended by your veterinarian to offer a degree of protection against infectious diseases.
- Dental Care: Schedule regular dental exams and teeth floating to help keep your horse’s teeth healthy and functional.
- Parasite Control: Put a deworming program in place to help your horse avoid common internal parasites.
- Farrier Care: Regular visits from a qualified farrier are crucial, not only for hoof health but also for preventing lameness. Some show-jumping horses may need extra protection from shoes.
- Daily Grooming: A good daily grooming will help to assist in the health of their coat and skin by enhancing your horse’s natural look. Grooming will help circulate and keep your horse’s muscles healthy.
Top-sport horses often rely on veterinary maintenance to keep their joints comfortable and address osteoarthritis consequent to wear and tear. One of several maintenance ways is the discussion of joint injections with your veterinarian for the Selle Francais horse breed.
Most sport horses are indoors. Try to provide as much turnout time as possible for Selle Francais horses to limit stall confinement that can increase stress in performance horses.
Related: Boulonnais Horse