Henson horse

Henson

Photo of a dun horse in profile grazing in a field.

Henson horse in the Somme.
Country of origin Marquenterre, France
Equus ferus caballus

The Henson, or the Somme Bay Horse, is a French breed of horse [1] whose idea of development emerged at the beginning of the 1970s. Derived from crosses between warm-blooded Selle Français horses and Anglo-Arabians, among others, and cold-blooded Fjord horses of Norwegian origin, it was created in order to get a mount suitable for equestrian tourism, which was thriving in the Somme Bay.

The creation of the Association of the Somme Bay Riders allowed for the supervision of sufficiently numerous first-generation births; the breed was only truly born once these animals are crossed. The Henson horses are now beginning to be exported outside of Somme Bay and Marquenterre, thanks to their recognition by the Haras Nationaux in 2003. They have become the emblem of their native region, and outdoor riding.

History

Hensons at Hâble-d'Ault.

Contrary to the majority of French horse breeds, the Henson is a creation from the end of the 20th century with the goal to obtain a hardy horse adapted to all forms of equestrian tourism, outdoor riding and leisure;[2][3] it is therefore the most recent of all French horse breeds.[4] The Somme Bay, a natural area of 70 km², formed the birthplace of the breed.[3][5] The Henson became one of the emblems in the same way as birds,[6] thanks to its mode of breeding "in the sense of a preserved area". Its economic weight remains modest but is growing from year to year with the rise of ecotourism.[7] It is considered a regional success "in the new logic of horse riding”.[4]

Origin

Near the end of the 1970s, horseback riding oriented towards outdoor recreation for nature-loving families. This promoted trail riding as well as driving. This trend implied the search for a leisure horse suited in regions such as the Somme, where equestrian tourism became popular in the area of the Somme Bay.[3]

The Henson breed is originally an experimental cross between first generation horses from different breeders, between Fjords and various riding horses.[5][8] Bernard Bizet, Lionel and Marc Berquin are the creators, their purpose being to obtain "very good saddle horses".[9][6]

The Anglo-Arabian is one of the breeds used in the crossing to create the Henson.
The Henson is the cross between saddle horses and Fjords, like these.

In 1972, Bernard Bizet bought a Fjord stallion and four fillies to create the Henson. The idea for the breed struck him following a trip to Denmark in his youth. The qualities of the Fjord breed are ideal for activities geared towards a younger clientele. The hardiness of the breed allows for economic rearing; the Fjord lives outside year round. In 1973, Mr. Bizet’s Fjord stallion was too young to breed his mares, so he decided to take them to the Haras Nationaux, and present them to an Anglo-Arabian.[10]

In 1974, the birth of two foals, half Fjord and half Anglo-Arabian, attracted the attention of Dr. Lionel Berquin, attendant at the Centre Équestre de Morlay (Morlay Equestrian Centre). He discovered the abilities of these foals. Adopted by the Association of the Somme Bay Riders (located in Port-le-Grand), they were named "Henson" a few years later. They combine the dun coat colour, the qualities of hardiness and the mental balance of the Fjord with the fiery temperament of the Anglo-Arabian, and a body adapted to driving and recreation. This crossing brought about heterosis, which resulted in the setting of sought-after qualities, hence the good results of the experiment.[5][8]

The experiment deserved to be repeated, so the Fjord was crossed with Trotters and Selle Français horses, but the Anglo-Arabian proved to be the better cross.[10]

Legend

Although its real origin is commonly known, the Henson breed is associated with a legend, according to which God contemplated the Somme Bay swept by winds and raging tides when he tried to capture the image. He then picked up a handful of sand, blew on it and gave life to a horse with the colour of sand. Whether he was a dreamer or he found the coat colour of the animal too clear, he ran one of his fingers along the back of the beast and drew a dark line along his spine, "the divine imprimatur".[11]

Development of the breed

Members of the breed’s development project, including Dr. Berquin and Mr. Bizet, gathered in 1982 to become the Association of the Somme Bay Riders.[5] Lionel Berquin co-created the Association of the Henson Horse that same year with Dominique Cocquet, then leader of the “Syndicat Mixte Pour l'Aménagement de la Côte Picarde” (Mixed Union for the Development of the Picardy Coast), to "give life to this crazy bet" which was to create a new breed of horse, promote it and establish it.[12]

They gathered all their Fjord cross horses, and bred their mares to the stallions.[11] The goal was to get horses with similar phenotypes, so the genotype would be stable and reproducible, but also to have sufficient first generation animals that were 50/50.[5] From 1984 to 1986, 50/50 Fjord mares were covered by an Anglo stallion, the product was 25% Fjord blood. The morphology and character were interesting but the dun coat colour was lost in more than half of the cases. The same mares produced foals that were 75% Fjord, in order to better establish the coat colour for selection criteria.[10]

In 1986, the creation of the Henson horse breed was formalized by Mr. Bizet and Mr. Berquin. The little horse from the Somme Bay had an identity, although it remained unrecognized by the Haras Nationaux. The fillies with 75% Fjord blood were bred in 1992 by Riesling Pierre and Agmar D’Oc, two Anglo-Arabians from the Boismont stud, belonging to the Haras Nationaux.[10] In 1993, the first foal with 37.5% Fjord blood was born, Fantasio de Morlay, and voted best foal of the year at the Henson Festival in Marquenterre. The goal of the breeding was to create a horse for recreation through breeding registered mares, where the reproduction of mares to their sires was forbidden, in order to avoid inbreeding.[10]

In 1989, the riders of Somme Bay settled on the Marquenterre property, land of the Jeanson family.[13] In 1995, they believed the population of first-generation horses was sufficient, the breed studbook was closed to outside horses whose parents were not of the Henson breed, and purebred breeding continued, exclusively on horses of second and following generations.[5][14] This is why Henson horses born after this date are no longer bred from a cross between Fjord and saddle horses, contrary to popular belief.[3]

The Henson has been recognized as a breed by the Ministry of Agriculture and the Haras Nationaux since July 2003,[15] it became the emblem of trail riding and trekking in full nature.[16] Dominique Cocquet thought in 2010 that this breed had a future because 12 million French thought they would like to practice horse riding in contact with nature.[17]

Description

Head of a Henson horse.

The Henson must have between 25% and 50% Fjord blood, and measure between 1.50 m and 1.60 m[3][18] (15 to 15.3 hands high). As a result, it looks a lot like the Fjord, but slightly taller and more slender, it is well structured but not heavy.[11] Its phenotype has well-marked features, even though the relatively recent creation of the breed led to a certain lack of homogeneity.[19] It is ranked among the 23 most beautiful horse breeds in the world according to the "Cheval Pratique" magazine.[20]

Morphological standard

Henson foal in the Somme.

Popular morphological features are those of a leisure horse, with extended gaits and a strong use of the hind limbs.[18]

Head

The head is preferably refined, expressive and as light as possible;[19] it is generally medium-sized with relatively deep jaws, and a straight or slightly concave profile. The ears are short and well-sculpted, with a darker tip than base. The eyes, sharp but with a sweet expression, are surrounded with black.[18]

Forehand and body

The neck is preferred sufficiently long and without heaviness,[19] well oriented on a strong base,[18] but it is usually relatively short and wide. The chest is broad, the desired shoulder long and sloping.[19] The body is stocky, the back often short and wide but sought-after in medium length.[18][19]

Hindquarters and legs

The hindquarters are large, the pasterns are short, legs solid and muscular with a hoof wall as strong as that of the Fjord, which should not be light coloured.[19]

Coat Colour

Its coat colour is most often a "more or less dark beige" colour ranging from sand tones to brown,[3][21] this is known as dun and arises due to the presence of the dun gene seen in the Fjord, but bay is also accepted.[18] The presence of a dorsal stripe along the back is required, and a lot of horses also have zebra-like striping or barring on the legs. Furthermore, all white markings (stripe, blaze, socks, etc.) are discouraged, and even prohibited for the sires, so that they do not appear in their offspring. The mane is solid black or two-tone, black and gold or black and white.[13][19] The coat still lacks a bit of stability; sometimes non-dun horses or carriers of white markings are born periodically.[14]

Character and maintenance

Cattle egret accompanying a Henson horse in La Bassée, Somme Bay.

The Henson has a confident character, sociable and friendly; it is also easily approached at the edge of the pasture.[11] It is quiet, docile, versatile and hardy.[3][13][19] Undemanding in the level of care and feeding, it can live outdoors year-round thanks to its hardiness and resistance.[7][15] It is often reared in an extensive and natural way outside,[3] and reproduces in freedom, which gives balance and hardiness from birth. The many swamps and other wetlands in the Somme Bay form the main area where it is traditionally bred and lives part of the year, living off the barren pastures and sandy or marshy ground without problems. This resistance comes from its Fjord ancestors, accustomed to extreme conditions.[5] The presence of horses in Marquenterre attracts cattle egrets,[22] and it complements the presence of salt-meadow sheep. A study done at the University of Lille I concluded that this horse is perfectly integrated in this ecosystem.[7]

Selection

The Henson Horse Association is the national breed association since February 3, 1983. It is intended to consolidate the breeders and owners of Henson horses, manage the studbook and orient the selection of the breed, develop it and promote it.[23] To help renew the blood in the breed, the studbook of the Henson breed has a “Henson factor” section open to horses from crosses between a Fjord horse and a Thoroughbred, Anglo-, Selle Français, French Trotter, Andalusian or Quarter horse, always having between 25% and 50% of Fjord blood, and a coat colour that meets the breed standard. There is also a limitation of the number of breedings permitted per stallion, either ten mares maximum for studs less than six years old, or 50 maximum for those over six years. Artificial insemination and embryo transfer are not allowed, and the approval of a stallion or a mare for breeding is subject to appearance, character and gait tests.[18]

Uses

Described as an “interesting experience” in the field of leisure, the Henson doesn't however, according to Lætitia Bataille, have the qualities of horse breeds that have been selected for several centuries.[5] Intended for outdoor and leisure riding in all its forms, the Henson is selected above others for its ability to trail ride[3][15][19] and is suitable for beginners to advanced riders.[6] It is widely used for this activity in Marquenterre.[9]

The Henson has great endurance, it is handy and fast.[3] It can participate in competitions of polocrosse without difficulty and is comfortable hunting. Driving, where a team of four Henson horses earned a bronze medal in the Championship of France, horse-ball, in which the women's team of Marquenterre was national champion of France in 2002,[24] endurance and competitive trail riding, where the Henson is seen at the national level, include its preferred disciplines.[3][5][19] Thanks to its beautiful coat colour, it is striking in the field of traditional driving.[19]

It is also used for the maintenance of the marshes of the Somme, thanks to its role as a green mower.[25]

Distribution of the breed

Overview of the typical landscapes of Marquenterre, birthplace of the breed, with the horses in the background.

The Henson was once considered to be a local race in which the threat level was unknown.[26] The breed is now stabilised and bred mainly for leisure[27] while some find opportunities in sport. These horses are found in all pastures of the Somme Bay and in Marquenterre.[11] The Somme, and in particular Marquenterre, birthplace of the breed, is the main breeding area. Opportunities are beginning to create elsewhere in France and in Belgium.[24] Since 2008, this horse is found in Nord-Pas-de-Calais, the departments of Oise and Eure,[27] and on a farm located in Berry.[3]

There were about 400 Hensons identified in France in 2010, including 200 in the equestrian "Henson-Marquenterre" area, in Tourmont-Saint-Quentin, and equestrian "L’Étrier" area, in the Bay of Authie.[3][9] In 2011, a new equestrian area dedicated to this horse began in Rue, the "Henson Stud".[28] In 2006, the breed had 31 breeders, 9 stallions standing at stud, and 36 new births,[27] these numbers were relatively stable over the following years.[3]

Demonstrations during the Trans’Henson 2014.
Year 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
Number of births in France. 20 32 43 43 ?

Every last weekend of October, during All Saints’ Day, marks the “Trans'Henson”, a gathering, by Henson horse owners, of the year’s foals, broodmares and young horses from one to three years to repatriate them in areas of winter pasture close to the centre of Saint-Quentin-en-Tourmont.[13][29] It's an opportunity to see more than 200 gathered horses. A "Ferya" is organized in mid-July, with presentations of the horses and selection of the most beautiful colt and the most beautiful filly.[30] Otherwise, these animals are present in other events such the Paris International Agricultural Show, of which they were the stars in 2003, at the time of the breed's recognition.[6]

References

  1. ↑ Breed data sheet: Henson/France. Domestic Animal Diversity Information System of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Accessed February 2014.
  2. ↑ (fr) Lætitia Bataille, Races équines de France, France Agricole Éditions, 2008, p.67 ISBN 9782855571546, read online).
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 (fr) Association du cheval Henson, «Le Henson » [archive], Haras nationaux (France), December 2010 (accessed January 9, 2012)
  4. 1 2 (fr) Observatoire économique régional de Picardie, « Le cheval en Picardie » [archive] [PDF], in Haras Nationaux, 2008 (accessed January 20, 2014), p. 4
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 (fr) Lætitia Bataille, Races équines de France, France Agricole Éditions, 2008, p. 68 (ISBN 9782855571546, read online).
  6. 1 2 3 4 (fr) Dominique Auzias, Le Petit Futé Amiens, coll. « Petit Futé », 2007 ISBN 9782746918399, read online [archive]), p. 215
  7. 1 2 3 (fr) Bénédicte Durand, « Le henson, un cheval agent de développement local ? », Hommes et terres du Nord, Villeneuve d'Ascq, Université de Lille 1, no 2, 2004-2005, p. 57-68 ISSN 0018-439X
  8. 1 2 (fr) Laetitia Bataille, Les poneys : Races et élevage, France Agricole Éditions, 2007, p.143 ISBN 9782855571409 read online).
  9. 1 2 3 (fr) Dominique Auzias, Caroline Michelot, Jean-Paul Labourdette et Delphine Cohen, coll. « Petit Futé », 2010 ISBN 9782746927827, read online [archive]), p. 191
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 (fr) Élevage de Henson de Morlay, « Histoire du cheval Henson » [archive], on chevalhenson.fr (accessed January 12, 2012)
  11. 1 2 3 4 5 (fr) Jacques Béal, Guide de la baie de Somme à vélo , Renaissance Du Livre, 2006, 167 p. ISBN 9782874155901, read online [archive]), p. 54
  12. ↑ (fr) « Témoignages de personnalités : M. Dominique Coquet : directeur général adjoint de Disneyland Paris et directeur général de Villages Nature et co-fondateur, avec le docteur Lionel Berquin, de l'Association du Cheval Henson en 1982 » [archive], Les haras nationaux (accessed January 12, 2012)
  13. 1 2 3 4 (fr) « Le Pays du cheval Henson en côte Picarde (Saint-Quentin-en-Tourmont) » [archive] (accessed July 16, 2009)
  14. 1 2 (fr) Laetitia Bataille, Les poneys : Races et élevage, France Agricole Éditions, 2007, p.144 ISBN 9782855571409 read online).
  15. 1 2 3 (fr) Isabelle Leclercq, « Le Henson, désormais race officielle », Cheval magazine, no 383, October 2003, p. 57
  16. ↑ (fr) « L'aventure Henson » [archive], in henson.fr (accessed July 16, 2009)
  17. ↑ (fr) Institut français du cheval et de l'équitation, « Le cheval précurseur du tourisme durable » [archive] [PDF], Institut français du cheval et de l'équitation, March 25, 2010 (accessed Janurary 20, 2015)
  18. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 (fr) Christophe Sodore, « Règlement du stud-book du cheval Henson » [archive], Haras nationaux, January 2008 (accessed January 9, 2012)
  19. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 (fr) Lætitia Bataille, Races équines de France, France Agricole Éditions, 2008, p. 69 (ISBN 9782855571546, read online).
  20. ↑ (fr) C. Hercy, E. Feuillerac, F. Halm and N. Lazarus, « Zoom sur les 23 plus belles races », Cheval pratique, no 178, January 2005, p. 42-95
  21. ↑ (fr) Jacques Béal (ill. Robin), Côte picarde et baie de Somme, coll. « L'esprit des lieux », Renaissance Du Livre, 2001 ISBN 9782804605049, p. 83
  22. ↑ (fr) Société ornithologie de France, L'oiseau et la revue française d'ornithologie, vol. 62 to 63, Société ornithologie de France, 1992, p. 216
  23. ↑ (fr) « Mission » [archive], Association du Cheval Henson (accessed February 17, 2012)
  24. 1 2 (fr) Isabelle Leclercq, « Le Henson, désormais race officielle », Cheval magazine, no 383, October 2003, p. 58
  25. ↑ (fr) Isabelle Leclercq, « Le Henson, désormais race officielle », Cheval magazine, no 383, October 2003, p. 59
  26. ↑ Rupak Khadka, « Global Horse Population with respect to Breeds and Risk Status » [archive], Uppsala, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science - Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, 2010, p. 59 ; 70.
  27. 1 2 3 (fr) Lætitia Bataille, Races équines de France, France Agricole Éditions, 2008, p. 70 (ISBN 9782855571546, read online).
  28. ↑ (fr) « Espaces équestres Henson » [archive], retrieved from henson.fr (accessed January 9, 2012)
  29. ↑ (fr) « Transhenson en Harmonie » [archive], retrieved from Henson.fr (accessed January 8, 2012)
  30. ↑ (fr) Jean-Paul Labourdette et Dominique Auzias, 52 Week-ends en France 2010-2011, Petit Futé, 2010 ISBN 9782746927643, p. 40 read online [archive]

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