Auxois

The Auxois is a heavy draft horse breed from France. The breed is mainly used as a workhorse.

Background information on the evaluation and breeding horses can be found at: exterior, interior and horse breeding.

Exterior

The exterior of the Auxois is determined by his massive large-framed physique. He has great similarities to the Ardennes and Trait du Nord. The Auxois has a large heavy head, which is supported by a short, massive neck. The pronounced withers goes into short broad back. The croup and short extremities are very muscular, joints strong and big. The Auxois has little curtain in the rule. The chest and shoulders are also very muscular and bulky. Despite the massive body construction of the Auxois has flowing, expansive beautiful movements. The withers is 160 to 168 cm.

In the Color Brown prevail. More rarely, rotgraue mold, foxes and Fallows are represented.

Interior

From the interior of the Auxois is friendly and good-natured. This emphasized since the beginning of the breeding character predestined the animals as work horses. They are frugal, insensitive, persistent and willing to work.

Breeding history

When Auxois it is to concern the frequently used in the Middle Ages burgundy horse. Because of his massive physique, the horse was often bred solely for meat production. In the 19th century it was grown by cross-breeding of Percheron and Boulonnais specifically as a heavy and strong driving force for use in agriculture. In the 20th century only Ardennes and Trait du Nord - horses were used for crossing, so the exterior of the Auxois has great similarities to these races. The main breeding area is located in Burgundy in the eponymous region of Auxois, but also in the departments of Yonne, Côte- d'Or, and Saône -et -Loire.

Use

The Auxois is mainly used in agriculture as a strong labor and draft horse. Although the population numbers are declining, it is still preferred because of its high horse slaughter carcass weight and low bone content.