Breeding Franches-Montagnes Horses

Noble, docile, supple and robust: these are just some of the qualities attributed to the last Swiss breed of horses, known colloquially as "Franches-Montagnes". The tradition of rearing horses in this region stretches back far into the past. From the 17^th century, the court of the Prince-Bishop of Basel prized the unparalleled beauty and strength of the horses from Jura, which gave rise to the Franches-Montagnes after several stages of crossbreeding. The various Jura types were called cheval du Jura or cheval des Franches-Montagnes from the 19^th century onwards. This relatively lightweight workhorse for agricultural and military use is medium-sized and good-natured with a solid bone structure. Its breeding became organised at the end of the 19^th century, especially under federal government control. Breeders began to set up unions, and at the same time the stallion Vaillant served at the Jura stud farm, becoming a founding father of the breed in its current form. A street in Saignelégier still bears his name, which is quite a rare achievement for a horse! Breeding gathered pace in the 20^th century, helped by various events and institutions, the most emblematic of which remains the Marché-Concours national de chevaux (National Horse Fair) in Saignelégier. The modern Franches-Montagnes is a versatile horse with an international reputation and ideal qualities for tourist, leisure and sports uses.

Performing arts
Social practices
Traditional craftsmanship