Conservation status | [not recognized |
---|---|
Other names | |
Country of origin | Senegal |
Traits | |
Distinguishing features | |
The Fleuve is a breed of horse from Senegal, in West Africa. [2] Its name is the French word for "big river"; it is named for the Senegal River ( French: Fleuve Sénégal). It is one of four Senegalese horse breeds, the others being the Foutanké, the M'Bayar and the M'Par. [3]: 23
The origins of the horse in Senegal are not documented. [4]: 261 The Fleuve derives from Sahel-type horses from the Hodh and Kayes regions of modern-day Mauretania and Mali, to the north of Senegal. [4]: 262 Those in turn are descended from Barb horses from the Maghreb countries further to the north. [5]: 14 The Fleuve has been described as a "degenerate Barb". [1]: 37–38
In 1996, Senegal had a horse population of about 400,000 head, the largest of any West African country. [1]: 36 This was a substantial increase from the 216,000 reported in 1978, [5]: 10 and a much greater increase from the population after the Second World War, estimated at barely 30,000. [4]: 260 Population numbers for the Fleuve are not reported. [2] In 2007 the FAO did not have data from which to estimate the conservation status of the breed. [6]: 101
The Fleuve is normally grey. It is a well-made horse, with a fine head and slender legs; it is energetic, with lively gaits. Poor examples may be too narrow in the chest, or have insufficient bone in the legs. [5]: 37
Horses play an important part in the social and economic life in Senegal. [1]: 52 The Fleuve was once the horse of chieftains; it is now used as a saddle-horse and for horse-racing. [5]: 15
It is also used in cross-breeding: a cross between a Fleuve stallion and an M'Bayar mare gives rise to the type called Foutanké. [5]: 15