Nivernais are endangered black heavy draught horses from the
Nievre region of central France. They stand about 165 to 175 centimetres at the
withers, occasionally up to 180 cm, and weigh 800–1000 kg. They were created in
1872 by the Comte de Bouille by crossing black Percheron stallions with local
Cheval du Morvan mares. A stud book was opened in 1880, and from that time the
breed largely supplanted the Cheval du Morvan. Their population declined from
the 1950s following the mechanisation of agriculture, and in 1966 the stud-book
was merged with that of the Percheron. Since the 1980s various efforts have
been made to preserve the breed. Without official recognition in France, it is
listed in DAD-IS by the FAO.
About Nivernais Horses
