{"id":44802,"date":"2025-01-22T10:38:44","date_gmt":"2025-01-22T15:38:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ehorses.com\/magazine\/?post_type=horse-breed&p=44802"},"modified":"2025-01-22T10:38:44","modified_gmt":"2025-01-22T15:38:44","slug":"comtois","status":"publish","type":"horse-breed","link":"https:\/\/www.ehorses.com\/magazine\/horse-breed\/comtois\/","title":{"rendered":"Comtois horse"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Hailing from the border of France and Switzerland, the Comtois is a handsome, sturdy draught horse. The breed\u2019s combination of compactness with power provides the appeal for enthusiasts who buy a Comtois. It\u2019s a very popular choice among the farming, viticulture and logging communities. So much so, that in France the Comtois is now comparable in numbers to the Belgian Draught Horse, France\u2019s most popular draught breed. Most of the people who sell a Comtois can be found in the Swiss and French draught horse communities.<\/strong><\/p>

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Origin and history of breeding the Comtois<\/h2>

The Comtois is associated with the Burgundians, a Germanic tribe who came from the middle Rhine area. In the fourth century CE, they settled in the Franche-Comt\u00e9 and Jura region. Little is known of them prior to this, though they may have been of Scandinavian origin<\/strong>. The territories in which they settled became the breeding grounds for the Comtois Horse.\u00a0<\/p>

It is likely to have been a war horse in medieval times, but that does not necessarily mean it looked exactly like its modern descendants. By the sixteenth century, the breed had achieved fame both as a cavalry and artillery horse<\/strong>. It was one of the breeds that Napoleon used. Thereafter, the breed would gradually increase in size and strength to become the draught horse that is known today. It would be crossed with the Boulonnais, Percheron and some Ardennais sires.\u00a0<\/p>

However, it maintained its compactness and was relatively agile<\/strong> compared with the more massive breeds. This made Comtois Horses very useful in wooded and mountainous areas, and they became popular as draught horses not only in the Jura but also in Switzerland and Italy.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWhat is the character of Comtois horses?\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\tComtois horses are willing and hardy horses. They are easy to train despite their power and have a fearless disposition.\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Use and characteristics of the Comtois<\/h2>

The Comtois is categorised as a light draught horse. It has a large, handsome head, a straight and quite lengthy back<\/strong> and short sturdy legs. The legs have very little feathering. The depth of chest and girth speak of good lungs and heart. The quarters are muscular and rounded.\u00a0<\/p>

Popular coat colouring ranges between dark chocolate and rich copper chestnut<\/strong>, with bay and black individuals, too. The silver dapple gene has been influential on some horses of the breed. This results in a lustrous silver-white mane<\/strong> and tail, in contrast to the generally more flaxen manes and tails seen in most individuals. Visually, they are all very attractive.\u00a0<\/p>

Height is between 14.3 hands<\/strong> (59 inches\/150 cm) and 16.1 hands<\/strong> (61 in\/165 cm) high. They weigh an impressive 1,430 lb\/650 kg to 1,760 lb\/800 kg<\/strong>. These willing, friendly horses make great workmates.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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\"Comtois:

Their Height is between 14.3 hands (59 inches\/150 cm) and 16.1 hands (61 in\/165 cm) high. They weigh 1,430 lb\/650 kg to 1,760 lb\/800 kg.<\/p><\/div>

Suitability of the Comtois horses for draught work<\/h2>

All in all, the Comtois is a superb draught animal, especially for the smallholder, viticulturalist or arboriculturist. They are willing and hardy<\/strong>. They are also easily trained. Being compact yet powerful, they are not as hard on the land as a taller draught animal. A Comtois Horse can get into spaces where a taller draught might struggle, such as small areas of mountainous woodland or vineyards.\u00a0<\/p>

There are some genetic issues, such as eye problems, largely linked to the silver gene. However, on the whole, these are long-lived, healthy animals. As well as making great country draughts, Comtois Horses are increasingly seen in urban settings drawing trade and tourist vehicles. Their exceptional calmness, strength<\/strong> and handsome looks make them an excellent choice as workhorses in a busy town environment.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWhere are Comtois horses used?\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\tThe Comtois horse is a mountain horse that is used as a draught horse in front of sledges or carriages. But also as a workhorse in forests.\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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