List of French horse breeds


This is a list of some of the breeds of horse considered in France to be wholly or partly of French origin. Some may have complex or obscure histories, so inclusion here does not necessarily imply that a breed is predominantly or exclusively French.

Extant breeds

Minor, suppressed and extinct breeds

† indicates extinct, and not merged into another breed

Merges into Selle Français

In 1914, "half blood" designated a cross between local mares and thoroughbreds. In 1958, many of the saddle horse breeds that were essentially half-blood were merged into the Selle Français registry, which has increasingly been geared toward sport horse types.

Demi-sang de la Dombes

The Demi-sang de la Dombes, Cheval de Bresse, and Demi-sang de l'Ain breeds are extinct riding horses native to eastern France, and were all absorbed together and then into the Selle Français breed.