Horse searches for a rider

Use and characteristics of the Breton

The typical Breton Draught Horse, or Trait Breton, is usually chestnut or roan coloured with a flaxen tail and mane. The rarer bays and bay roans are also popular among those who buy a Breton. These stocky, sturdy horses are between 15.1 hands high (61 inches/152 cm) and 16.00 hands high (64 inches/163 cm). The Breton Trait is one of just two officially recognised types of Breton. The other, the Breton Postier, was created by crossing Bretons with Norfolk Trotters and Hackneys in the 19th century, resulting in strong, attractive harness horses. Breeders who sell a Breton Postier are enthusiasts for these good all-rounders. A non-official type, the Cheval de Corlay or Corlay Breton, has Arabian and Thoroughbred ancestry and was used for racing as well as more general work. The smaller Centre-montagne draught horse is possibly closer to an early type of Breton horse. However, although popular with people who buy a Breton, it is not officially recognised like the Trait Breton.