Angevin horse
The Angevin was an extinct population of small, hardy bay horses bred near Angers in France. Under the influence of the French National Stud, the breed was crossed with the Thoroughbred, increasing its size and transforming it into a saddle half-bred horse, known as the Angers half-bred, particularly renowned for military use during the 19th century, from 1833 to 1850. The breeding of this horse supported the high demand for military remounts in the Angers region, but competition from Vendée and Anglo-Norman horses, along with the advent of the automobile, led to a crisis in its breeding at the start of the 20th century. The decline of military cavalry and the shift of all regional service horse populations toward sport resulted in the integration of Angevin horses into the national Selle Français breed in 1958.
| Life Span | 25-30 years |
| Weight | 380-550 kg |
What to Know Before Buying an Angevin horse
Finding a responsible Angevin horse breeder requires more than browsing classified ads or responding to social media posts. The USDA requires any breeder who sells horses commercially — especially those selling online or through third-party dealers — to hold a federal license and submit to regular inspections. A legitimate breeder should be willing to provide their USDA license number, invite you to visit their facility, and show you where the animals are housed and socialized.
Before committing to a purchase, ask the breeder for veterinary health records, vaccination documentation, and any genetic testing results relevant to the Angevin horse. Reputable breeders will also ask you questions in return — about your living situation, experience with animals, and ability to provide long-term care. A breeder who asks no questions and is eager to ship an animal immediately is a significant red flag.
Use the search tool below to check whether any USDA-licensed facilities breeding Angevin horses appear in our database. If they do, review their inspection history carefully. Look for patterns of violations, pay attention to severity levels, and compare their compliance grade with other breeders in the same state. This due diligence takes minutes and can save you from supporting a facility with documented animal welfare problems.
Looking for an Angevin horse breeder?
Search our database of USDA-licensed facilities to find inspected breeders and check their compliance history.
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