Freiberger

The Freiberger or Franches-Montagnes is a Swiss breed of horse of light draught type. It originates in the Canton of Jura in north-western Switzerland, and is named for the Freiberge or Franches-Montagnes District in the south of that canton. It is widely distributed in Switzerland, and is also present in France and Belgium.

It was formerly used principally as a farm horse or by the Swiss army; it is now used mainly for driving and riding. The is an annual fair for the breed held in Saignelégier, capital of the Franches-Montagnes District.

History

File:Der dreijährige Hengst Farand - CH-BAR - 3239951.tif

Farand, a stallion at the Marché-Concours des Chevaux in Saignelégier (1910s photograph)

File:Adelboden Freiberger.jpg

In harness

File:2004-Saignelegier-Marche-Concours-Freiberger.jpg

Stallions at the Marché-Concours des Chevaux of Saignelégier, 2004

The Freiberger originates in the historic Jura region of Switzerland; use of horses in agricultural work and as post-horses is documented there from about 1620.Template:R

By the early nineteenth century, there were active breeders in the district of Franches-Montagnes. In 1817, there were breeding mares. The horses were bred for use in agriculture and by the army as pack animals and artillery horses. There were imports of Anglo-Normans in 1821, and of Hanoverian, Oldenburger and other horses from England and France in 1830, all with the aim of correcting the perceived faults of the native breed – a heavy head, a short neck and a sloping croup – although its overall build was considered good.Template:R

The name Freiberger appeared in the late nineteenth century, used for the three types of horse previously named after the districts of Franches-Montagnes, Porrentruy, and Delémont. These types were called "cheval de Jura" and later "Franches-Montagnes" regardless of the district from which they originated. They had also been known as the race welsche.Template:R

Until the early twentieth century there were named sub-types, such as the Anglo-Jura – with Thoroughbred blood - and the Normand-Jura, with some Anglo-Norman ancestry. It was only in the late twentieth century that the name (Cheval des) Franches-Montagnes became official.Template:R The in Saignelégier, a combined show, race and market dedicated to the breed, has been held annually since 1897.Template:R

Some cross-breeding with imported Swedish Warmblood stock took place in the 1960s.Template:R

A stud-book was established in 1960.Template:R It was closed to any external admixture in 1997.Template:R In the same year a breed association, the Schweizerischer Freibergerverband or Fédération suisse d’élevage du cheval de la race des Franches-Montagnes, was established.Template:R

Although the Freiberger breed is not at risk, with an estimated total population in 2017 of about , of which approximately were in Switzerland, the original type – those with 2% or less of foreign blood – is endangered.Template:R An interest group for the preservation of this stock was formed in 1996 as the or .Template:R In 1999 the total number of such horses was decreasing rapidly, with a remaining stock of about 300 mares and 30 stallions.Template:R In 2003 a conservation programme for the original type was established by the interest group, in collaboration with ProSpecieRara and with the Template:Ill at Avenches.Template:R

Characteristics

The Freiberger is variable in type, from a riding horse to a light draught horse conformation.Template:R Mares average in weight and in height at the withers; the average height and weight for stallions and geldings are and .Template:R The usual coat colours are bay and chestnut, with only minimal white markings.Template:R

Use

The traditional uses were as a draught horse for agricultural work, or as a military horse, either as a saddle horse or as a pack animal.Template:R In the twenty-first century it is used both as a riding mount and for driving.Template:R