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Today in France there are no longer large numbers of draught horses. Until 1950 they numbered nearly 3 million, but now there is less than 20,000. Some breeds, such as Trait du Nord or Boulonnais, are producing less than 200 foals a year and are at risk of disappearing altogether. By comparison, 800 Percherons foals are born each year and the figure for foals of the Breton is in excess of 5000 annually.
When sold draught horses do not command very high prices. The meat industry controls the amount paid and now days in France less and less horse meat is being consumed. 80% is imported, principally from Poland, Argentina and the United States. American really like their horses but they would not want to eat them so they send the frozen meat to us !
When six months old foals are sold, the price is ranging from 700 to 1000 euros, although at times they fetch a lower amount. People who bred horses to sell at prices like these are not about to make their fortune... Some horses, such as those trained to be harnessed in a team, sell for a higher price, say 20,000 Francs. However, it is not easy to find either the horses or the buyers for this type of transaction.
There are some countries, especially Germany and Japan, who buy horses from France.
Here in France we are commencing to re-introduce horses for the same work, but at the present only about 100 horses are employed in our forests whilst in Germany more than 10,000 are in use. The Germans have solved the problem by forbidding the operation of motorised equipment in most forests.
There are just a few countries to which draught horses are exported and there in not a great future for these animals. At La Michaudière, we are actually working with 30 horses of three different breeds :
Across France nine breeds of work horse can be found. In the Jura you can see the Comtois, one of the two breeds which numbers are significantly increasing, whilst another breed, the Auxois is recording only 150 births per year. In the East of the country you find Ardennais horses, the North is home to the Trait du Nord and Boulonnais, in the west the Percherons, Cobs Normands, Bretons, and finally the Trait Mulassier, the most threatened breed with less than 50 births per year.
Today in France one finds more and more working farriers. Previously there was a period of about 30 years when none were trained, but now there are thousands of horses (race horses, leisure horses...) in every department and an increasing need of farriers. There are about 150 to 200 farriers trained per year and soon there will be an over supply in the Mayenne, Orne, Manche and Calvados. One set of shoes for these draught horses costs about 400 Francs and lasts 45 to 60 days.
There are two methods for shoeing. Firstly the English method, where the farrier holds the horse's hoof and also fits the shoe. For draught horses it is better to have two people. This second system involves one person holding the hoof and the other putting the shoe.
In comparison to the farriers, here in France we no longer train enough harness makers. There is a school in the Haras du Pin, but the harnesses are more often than not made in India or Pakistan where the cost of manual labour is of less consideration. A collar made in France is valued at 700 euros whilst a calf skin collar made in India, 150 euros.
All these horses remain outdoors throughout the years. During winter they are put into paddocks in which cows have been grazing. They eat hay as well as barley and oats.