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Suitable for riding and pack, the Carmague is hardy, has good endurance, and it has a quiet temperament. This mesomorphic type pony is of regional or local importance. This ancient breed still runs wild in herds in southern France in the Carmague region, from which it gets its name. Also known as "the white horses of the sea," these warmbloods are believed to have prehistoric origins due to their resemblance to prehistoric remains.

Indigenous to the Rhône delta in southern France, the Camargue ranges throughout the salt marshland environment of the region in semi-wild herds called manades or manèdes (pronounced man-ed). These horses have lived wild in this manner for thousands of years, wandering with salt-laden winds (mistral ) in a wild and watery wasteland. The traditional mount of the Camargue cowboy ( gardian , these small, hardy horses are excellent for working with the local wild, black bulls.

Remains of prehistoric animals discovered in the 19th century at Solutre' included horses which closely resemble the present-day Camargue. This breed may also have been depicted in primitive cave drawings at Lascaux, which date to around 15,000 BC. They may have been subjected to crossbreeding by Roman horsemen who brought their mounts into the area. Other influences may have been made by the Saracens. There is no doubt that the Barbs of the advancing Moors had a contributing influence in the Camargue. Considerable evidence exists in the Camargue indicating the contributions of powerful Barb genes. There has been no other outside equine influence on the manades due to the isolation of the region. During the 19th century breeders attempted to introduce Thoroughbred, Arab, Anglo-Arab and Breton or Postier-Breton blood, but they were effective in changing its rugged, wild features.

It is thought that this horse possibly descends from the prehistoric horse of Solutré. Once admired by Julius Caesar, it has more recently benefited from infusions of Arab and Barb blood. In the nineteenth century it was crossed with Arabs, English Thoroughbreds, Anglo-Arabs, and Postier-Bretons, but this did not result in modifications to the type. (Simon & Schuster)

Early in the 20th century, the Carmague nearly became extinct. In 1967 a Breed Society was formed and the Carmague now has its own studbook. Breeding has become more selective with only the best stallions allowed to run with the brood mares. The Carmague has been recognized as a breed since 1968.

Jane Kidd, in her International Encyclopedia of Horse Breeds provides this tidbit about the present-day Carmague:

Today, Camargues still run wild in their damp, reedy homelands, which are hot in summer and bleak in winter. They roam in small herds, consisting of one stallion, mares of all ages and colts to 3 years old. There are regular roundups when foals are branded. Three-year-old colts not good enough to remain as stallions are caught and gelded. Stock is selected to be broken and trained.

The Camargue stands up to 14.2 hands high, usually between 13.1 and 14; or, according to another source, 13.1-14.2 hands (1.33-1.44m) at the withers and weighs in at 600-880 lb (300-400 kg). It is grey or white. While foals are generally born black, brown or dark grey, their coats lighten with age. By the time Carmagues reach maturity, they turn pale grey. It has a coarse and often heavy head, revealing the strong primitive influence, and an intelligent expression. The neck is short, and its strong and upright shoulders account for this horse's peculiar action. The straight shoulder place forelegs of the Camargue further to the rear, causing an unpleasant stilted trotting action. The croup is sloped, the tail low-set, and the quarters generally powerful. Its wide hooves are strong and healthy, rarely in need of shoeing.

Primarily used under saddle, this hardy breed is strong, enduring, fiery and couregeous. It has the ability to exist off of the poor diet of the stunted reed beds in its salty marshland environment. The Camargue has a free and active style in its walk, canter and gallop, but its trot is rarely used. This agile horse makes a tractable riding horse when it has been caught and trained to the saddle. "Catching and breaking Camargues is difficult. Initially they are wild creatures, but once they have been trained to accept human commands, they make good rides" (Kidd, Horse Breeds).

The Carmague has recently been used for tourist trekking throughout the region, but it has been generally used for cattle herding. Small black bulls are bred locally and cowboys, known as "guardiens," mount tamed Carmagues to round up and herd these bulls to local fairs.

Trained Camargues are used extensively in the Delta. Their long-term use has been as cattle-herding ponies for the "Gardiens," the cowboys of the Camargue. One of the most important agricultural activities in the Camargue is the breeding of small black bulls; the tamed, wild horses are used for herding, surveying and rounding up the bulls, and taking them to the bullring at local fairs. (Kidd, Horse Breeds)

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This article was not published in the North West Breyer Horse Club newsletter, however it was published on the NorthWest Breyer Horse Club website in 1999. (em)

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