Carrossier noir du Cotentin
The Carrossier noir du Cotentin (black carriage horse) is a large, black, pulling horse breed unique to Cotentin. It was regularly described and quoted during the Ancien Régime (Old Regime) and may have descended from Danish horses. As its name suggests, this horse was mainly used to pull carriages, and its uniform color made it possible to form homogeneous groups. Valued until the beginning of the 19th century, this breed became extinct as a result of crossbreeding with the Anglo-Norman breed, the cornage disease, and the deterioration of its coat color. The breed was historically bred at the Saint-Lô National Stud Farm. The last Carrossier Noir stallion at this stud farm, "Le Corbeau", died in 1836. This rather heavy horse had a convex head profile, a long back, and loins. Its character was said to be friendly and docile, although sometimes a bit sluggish.
| Life Span | 25-30 years |
| Weight | 380-550 kg |
What to Know Before Buying a Carrossier noir du Cotentin
Finding a responsible Carrossier noir du Cotentin 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 Carrossier noir du Cotentin. 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 Carrossier noir du Cotentins 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.
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Search our database of USDA-licensed facilities to find inspected breeders and check their compliance history.
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