Castillonnais
The Castillonais or Cheval Ariègeois de Castillon, also formerly called Cheval du Biros or Saint-Gironnais, is a French horse breed from the Ariège département of south-western France. It may be dark bay or seal brown, and stands 135–155 cm at the withers, with an average height of about 145 cm. It is used principally for trekking and driving. Originally bred as a multi-purpose breed used for cavalry, agriculture and driving, the breed declined in population during the twentieth century, and almost became extinct. In 1980, the breed was revived and was officially recognised by the French Ministry of Agriculture in 1996. Population numbers are still quite low, and in-breeding is a concern.
| Life Span | 25-30 years |
| Weight | 380-550 kg |
What to Know Before Buying a Castillonnais
Finding a responsible Castillonnais 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 Castillonnais. 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 Castillonnaiss 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 a Castillonnais breeder?
Search our database of USDA-licensed facilities to find inspected breeders and check their compliance history.
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