Conservation status [not recognized | ||
Other names Wolof: Naru GorNarugorFrench: Cheval du Fleuve Distinguishing features Height: over 1.44 mWeight: 325 kg Similar Qatgani, Tawleed, Novokirghiz, Xilingol horse, Kustanai horse | ||
Les gens du fleuve le colorado
The Fleuve is a breed of horse from Senegal, in West Africa. Its name is the French word for "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.:23
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History
The origins of the horse in Senegal are not documented.: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.:262 Those in turn are descended from Barb horses from the Maghreb countries further to the north.:14 The Fleuve has been described as a "degenerate Barb".:37–38
In 1996, Senegal had a horse population of about 400,000 head, the largest of any West African country.:36 This was a substantial increase from the 216,000 reported in 1978,:10 and a much greater increase from the population after the Second World War, estimated at barely 30,000.:260 Population numbers for the Fleuve are not reported. In 2007 the FAO did not have data from which to estimate the conservation status of the breed.:101
Characteristics
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.:37
Use
Horses play an important part in the social and economic life in Senegal.:52 The Fleuve was once the horse of chieftains; it is now used as a saddle-horse and for horse-racing.: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.:15