Conservation status [not recognized Country of origin Senegal | Distinguishing features Height: 1.25–1.35 m | |
Other names Mpar
Cayor
Cheval du Cayor Similar Western Sudan Pony, Poney du Logone, Foutanké, Arenberg‑Nordkirchen, Ethiopian horses | ||
The M'Par or Mpar is a breed of small horse from the historic region of Cayor in Senegal, in West Africa.:253 It may for that reason be called the French: Cheval de Cayor. It is the smallest of the four Senegalese horse breeds,:263 the others being the M'Bayar, the Fleuve and the Foutanké.:23
Contents
History
The origins of the horse in Senegal are not documented.:261 According to some authors, including Georges Doutressoulle, the M'Par may be an autochthonous breed with ancient origins in the area;:4 others such as René Larrat see the horses of Senegal as descendants of Barb horses from the Maghreb countries to the north.:261
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 M'Par are not reported. In 2007 the FAO did not have data from which to estimate the conservation status of the M'Par breed.:101
The M'Par is gradually being assimilated into the much larger M'Bayar population, and is at risk of extinction.:37
Characteristics
The M'Par is a small horse or pony. It is generally of poor conformation, heavy-headed, too long in the back, thin-legged, flat-chested and often with defective conformation of the legs. In compensation for these defects, it has exceptional qualities of endurance and rusticity.:263
Use
Horses play an important part in the social and economic life in Senegal. The M'Par is used as a light draught horse. Because of its small size it is able to pull only light carts and fiacres.:16