horse breed · 671 on Animalso
Cheval du Morvan
- Animal
- Horse
- Origin
- France
About the Cheval du Morvan
The Cheval du Morvan was an extinct French horse breed named for the Morvan massif in Burgundy. It was also known as the Morvandiau, Morvandain or Morvandelle. Horses were bred in the region before the French Revolution for several kinds of work: as saddle horses for fox-hunting, as cavalry mounts and for draught use. They were small to medium in height and noted for strength and tenacity. In the nineteenth century, industrialisation and improved transportation contributed to the breed’s extinction. Its draught role was taken over by the Nivernais and Comtois, while the Thoroughbred replaced it as a saddle horse. The Cheval du Morvan’s history reflects the changing roles of horses in France as transport and industry developed.
What stands out
- Served as a saddle horse, cavalry mount and draught horse
- Known for strength and tenacity
- Bred in Burgundy before the French Revolution
Worth knowing
- The breed is extinct
- Small to medium height
Who it suits
This entry may interest readers exploring extinct French horse breeds or the history of horses used for hunting, cavalry and draught work.
In short
The Cheval du Morvan was a versatile horse breed with roles in riding, military service and draught work. It disappeared in the nineteenth century as industrialisation and improved transportation changed those needs.
More horse breeds from France
Angevin horse France Photo: Eugène Gayot · Public domain 
Anglo-Norman horse France Photo: Wikimedia Commons contributor · Public domain 
AQPS France Photo: Tsaag Valren · CC BY-SA 4.0 
Berrichon horse France Height 1.58 cm Photo: Wikimedia Commons contributor · Public domain 
Bidet breton France Photo: Revue Sport universel illustré · Public domain Photo credits8 photographs on this page
- Angevin horse — Eugène Gayot · Public domain · file page
- Anglo-Norman horse — Wikimedia Commons contributor · Public domain · file page
- AQPS — Tsaag Valren · CC BY-SA 4.0 · file page
- Auvergne horse — Stephanemartin · CC BY-SA 3.0 · file page
- Auxois — Cjp24 crop by Peli · CC BY 3.0 · file page
- Barraquand horse — Michael Barbereau WMFr · CC BY-SA 4.0 · file page
- Berrichon horse — Wikimedia Commons contributor · Public domain · file page
- Bidet breton — Revue Sport universel illustré · Public domain · file page
Photographs come from Wikimedia Commons under the licence each one names. How Animalso credits photographs.