Navarrin horse
The Cheval Navarrin, also called Navarin, Navarrois, Tarbais, Tarbésan or Bigourdin, was an extinct French horse breed. It originated in the plains of the Pyrenees around Tarbes, as well as in Bigorre in the Hautes-Pyrénées, and was more broadly distributed across southwestern France. The breed was reputed to have been a prestigious riding horse during the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, and it enjoyed a strong reputation throughout the 18th century. Small in stature, hardy, refined, and lively, the Cheval Navarrin was widely used as a remount for light cavalry. It was also employed as a saddle horse in riding schools and for the practice of classical dressage, owing to its elegance and agility.
| Life Span | 25-30 years |
| Weight | 380-550 kg |
What to Know Before Buying a Navarrin horse
Finding a responsible Navarrin 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 Navarrin 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 Navarrin 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.
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Search our database of USDA-licensed facilities to find inspected breeders and check their compliance history.
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