Intro
The Bidet of Morvan or Bidet du Morvan is not an official breed. The term Bidet with regards to horses in France is a very old one, but today the term generally means country bred.
Origins
The Bidet term for horses has been used in France since pre-Roman times (long before the appliance was invented) and the original Bidet played a part in development of the mighty Norman horse. During the 15th century Bidet horses were small horses notable for their hardiness and adaptability. Over the years the term diluted and became a slang word for country bred animals.
Even into the 20th century the workhorses of poor farmers were referred to as Bidet. The name stuck likely because the French government discouraged backyard breeding. What small programs existed kept their herds in a semi feral state, allowing natural selection to keep them tough. The Bidet du Morvan was specifically bred in the Morvan province and likely had localized traits useful to farmers in the area.
As with many work and saddle horse types, the advent of mechanization caused their numbers to dwindle into extinction by the 20th century.
Features
Average height 13.8 hands
Physique
Head is strong and square with a straight profile
Forehead is flat
Ears are short
Chest is broad
Hindquarters are flat
Hooves are strong
Traditional Colors
Generally chestnut, grey, dun, roan, bay and sometimes black
Temperament
Calm and tractable
Sturdy and brave
Use
Riding
Hunting
Cavalry
Harness
Agriculture