An emblem of the region
The Camargue horse is and remains one of the emblems of the region. Smaller in size, foals are born black, brown or dark grey. Then their coat gets lighter over the years and it is only at the age of 3 years that it becomes light gray (and not white contrary to a priori since its skin is black, only its hairs are white following a progressive depigmentation). The Camarguais would be one of the oldest races in the world even if its origin remains a great mystery.
The Camargue horse traditionally lives in freedom in the marshes. This breed is known to be one of the most robust since it adapts perfectly to the excesses of the Mediterranean climate: high winds, humidity, cold biting in winter, great heat and insects in summer, hence its nickname of horse «made of mistral, salt and courage». Its light coat does not attract mosquitoes and its very resistant skin protects it from insect bites. Nowadays, the Camargue horses are raised in semi-freedom in manades (herds of bulls and horses in the open air) and are the exclusive mount of the gardians (guardian of manade). Foals are born freely without human intervention. It is only at the age of one, when they are weaned, that the man will begin to approach him to affix to him the mark of the breeding. Then the foals will remain two more years in freedom in the pastures before the guardians come back to pick them up to begin the break-in and the training. During off-duty periods, the horses are released free.
The small horse of Camargue was formerly only used for agricultural and pastoral activities; notably the crushing of the harvest. It has many qualities: maneuverability, robustness, endurance, docility, vivacity, agility and courage which makes it the best companion of the guardians for the conduct and control of the herds of bulls. The horse is also honoured at the numerous local traditional festivals, where it participates in equestrian games and walks in the streets, ridden by its guardian. The Camarguais is currently experiencing a revival of interest thanks to the development of equestrian tourism. Many stables offer horse riding tours to discover the Camargue. Its height allows to acquire a higher point of view to observe nature. Moreover, its odour masking that of man, it is therefore easier to observe wild animals.
