Leisure horse appreciated by hikers, the Merens has very good abilities for other equestrian disciplines such as driving and TREC. Rustic and versatile, this little French horse can meet the expectations of many riders. Discover this amazing horse breed that is the Merens.
Breed History
Originally from the French Pyrenees, Ariège more precisely, the Mérens has important physical similarities with prehistoric horses. Indeed, there are painted representations of the Merens in the cave of Niaux.
Used as a war horse in the Middle Ages, the Merens was then used for agricultural work and in the mines.
Officially called Merens in 1866, this black horse was threatened with extinction at the end of the 20th century. Thanks to breeders in love with the breed who fought to preserve its purity, the Merens found a new direction with leisure riding. From around forty horses in 1970, the figure rose to nearly 4000 in 1985: the preservation of the breed was assured.
First considered a pony, the Merens was reclassified as a blood horse in 1998 by the Haras Nationaux.
Physical peculiarities
Its head: very expressive, the head of the Merens is elegant and distinguished. The chamfer is straight. The Merens is very hairy around the ears and under the cheeks.
His body: the back is long and wide and the withers well out. The loins are also broad and muscular. The shoulder is long and sloping. The croup is round and muscular: a double croup is highly appreciated by fans of the breed.
Its limbs: the limbs are strong and muscular. The joints are solid and well marked. Baleen is abundant. The hooves are sturdy and often black.
His dress: the dress of the Merens is always black zain (without white hairs). It is also the only coat color accepted by the Stud-Book. Balzanes are not tolerated, however a star in the header is accepted.
His hair: abundant and long, his hair is thick and crimped or wavy.
Its gaits: the gaits of the Merens are extended. His posteriors often show a strong commitment.
Use
Very versatile, the Merens is an excellent trail horse. Thanks to his sure-footedness, his stamina and his agility, he is appreciated for outdoor riding, both by children and by adults, by beginner riders and by experienced riders. Efficient in driving and aerobatics, the Merens is also a very good horse for TREC. He also has several titles in these different disciplines. Showjumping, dressage, eventing, endurance or show are among the disciplines in which the Merens can distinguish himself.
Good to know: The Merens has shown excellent results in equine therapy, which is why it is widely used in certain specialized centers.
Famous Merens breed horses
Merens are amazing trail horses. Ridden by Stéphane Bigo, Velours de Sié notably traveled 1000 kilometers through the Pyrenees using the GR 10.
Breeding
Originally from the Midi-Pyrénées region, the majority of Merens are still raised in this region today. Nevertheless, Merens is present throughout France and abroad (Italy, Switzerland, Germany, etc.). Traditionally, it is bred in transhumance.
Created in 1948, the Stud-Book du Merens is responsible for maintaining and safeguarding the breed.
To be considered a Merens, a horse must descend from horses of the Merens breed. After being threatened with extinction in the 1970s, the number of Merens horses has greatly increased. Today, he is rigorously selected and must take part in competitions for stallions and ridden competitions dedicated to 3-year-olds.
