Henson horses - I'd never heard of them

@JudyEv (342448)
Rockingham, Australia
April 6, 2022 9:06pm CST
I wrote about a friend who runs a trail-riding establishment. I also clicked on a random photo from our 2015 trip to Europe. The photo was of a sign which mentioned a colony of seals that frequent the Baie de Somme in the Picardy region of France. The sign also mentions Henson horses, a breed I’d never heard of so down the Google rabbit hole I went. The Henson or Cheval de Henson was established by selective breeding in the late 20th century. The aim was to create a hardy light saddle horse suitable for pleasure riding in particular. Ecotourism was increasing and more and more people were looking to go pony-trekking and/or trail-riding. After some experimentation, the best cross was found to be the distinctive dun-coloured Fjord and the Anglo-Arab (Thoroughbred-Arab) cross. It is slightly taller and not as heavy as the Fjord. It has great endurance and is hardy enough to live outdoors on the marshlands year-round. The dun coat colour ranges from a dark beige to sand. There is always a dorsal stripe (you can see the dark stripe down the spine of the foal in the photo) and some have zebra-like bars on the legs. The mare in the photo has some markings on the front legs. The mane and tail are black but might have lighter strands and white markings are frowned on. They are versatile, friendly and docile; ideal for trail-riding with inexperienced riders. However, they are also used for other pursuits. I wonder how many more breeds I’ve never heard of. Photo is from Wikimedia Commons, courtesy APictche
15 people like this
14 responses
@rebelann (113046)
• El Paso, Texas
7 Apr 22
I know so little about horses. I wouldn't know the difference between an Arabian or Mustang. That foal is adorable
3 people like this
@JudyEv (342448)
• Rockingham, Australia
7 Apr 22
If you're pretty obsessed about something, then information just sort of sinks in.
1 person likes this
@rebelann (113046)
• El Paso, Texas
7 Apr 22
That's true.
1 person likes this
@1creekgirl (41830)
• United States
7 Apr 22
That was very interesting. My sister and our daughter always loved horses, but I'm intimidated by them. The horses, not the girls, lol.
3 people like this
@JudyEv (342448)
• Rockingham, Australia
7 Apr 22
If you're not used to horses, they can be very intimidating indeed. Even if you are used to them, some are intimidating.
1 person likes this
@Nawsheen (28643)
• Mauritius
7 Apr 22
I would love to have a ride on those horses one day
2 people like this
@JudyEv (342448)
• Rockingham, Australia
7 Apr 22
Are there horse-riding establishments in your country? I'm sure there must be.
@wolfgirl569 (108757)
• Marion, Ohio
7 Apr 22
I had heard of the 2 breeds it started from. There is many many breeds I am sure
2 people like this
@wolfgirl569 (108757)
• Marion, Ohio
7 Apr 22
@JudyEv Some have even stopped being I am sure. I know many breeds of draft horses almost went away as farm machinery increased.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (342448)
• Rockingham, Australia
7 Apr 22
Dozens I guess. And in the backblocks of some of the European countries, I'm sure there are some very obscure breeds.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (342448)
• Rockingham, Australia
8 Apr 22
@wolfgirl569 I read that, at one time, there were less Suffolk Punch horses, than pandas.
1 person likes this
@Kandae11 (55186)
7 Apr 22
I have never ridden on a horse.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (342448)
• Rockingham, Australia
7 Apr 22
It's an enjoyable pastime. It's been a long time since I rode a horse but I enjoy photographing them.
@Sojourn (13837)
• India
7 Apr 22
Dog breeds are known to me, but no horse breeds
2 people like this
@JudyEv (342448)
• Rockingham, Australia
7 Apr 22
There are so many different breeds around now in all the livestock areas.
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (182736)
• United States
7 Apr 22
I only know basic breeds so probably dozens. I am always surprised when I see a new dog breed I never heard of.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (342448)
• Rockingham, Australia
7 Apr 22
They keep coming up with new breeds it seems too.
1 person likes this
@RebeccasFarm (90571)
• Arvada, Colorado
7 Apr 22
I love all horses, but Palaminos are my fav
1 person likes this
• Arvada, Colorado
7 Apr 22
@JudyEv I know you do Judy why I told you not that I am picky Yes the Palominos, I have loved them since childhood. Ill delete that noticing now
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (342448)
• Rockingham, Australia
7 Apr 22
Thanks for picking up the error. It's supposed to be Henson. I hate making mistakes but I'm really glad you told me about it. Palominos are beautiful, aren't they? At one time, we didn't see them too often but there are many more around now.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (472243)
• Switzerland
7 Apr 22
Are you sure the name is Benson and not Henson? We have Henson horses here, but I never heard of Henson.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (472243)
• Switzerland
7 Apr 22
@JudyEv I had read of Henson horses, I have seen them here, I was surprised of a similar name. It happens to make mistakes. When I go back to my comments I notice that I am making more and more typos.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (342448)
• Rockingham, Australia
7 Apr 22
It's Henson. Thanks. I've corrected it now. I might start taking notes of all my mistakes. I am making more and more. I don't know what good a list would do but I could beat myself up about them.
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (81089)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
8 Apr 22
They look like very beautiful horses, I also have not heard of them, Thank you for the information,
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (342448)
• Rockingham, Australia
8 Apr 22
I have heard of a great many breeds over the years but obviously I don't know them all!
1 person likes this
@Fleura (30544)
• United Kingdom
7 Apr 22
Never heard of those either but then of course they are pretty new. Most of my knowledge of horses comes from my childhood obsession! I guess domestic animals are changing all the time to suit our needs. The old heavy horses are rare breeds now.
1 person likes this
@Fleura (30544)
• United Kingdom
7 Apr 22
@JudyEv It's a shame isn't it? But I guess they were created to fulfil a particular need and now that is no longer there.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (342448)
• Rockingham, Australia
7 Apr 22
The Suffolk Punch is now more rare than the panda. And some of the British native pony breeds are gradually disappearing too.
1 person likes this
@MissNikki (5237)
• Maple Ridge, British Columbia
7 Apr 22
Wow, beautiful horses!!
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (342448)
• Rockingham, Australia
8 Apr 22
They are very pretty, aren't they?
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (182766)
• United States
7 Apr 22
Thanks for doing the leg work for us. Interesting post and oh-so-cute picture.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (342448)
• Rockingham, Australia
8 Apr 22
Foals are always cute. These are such an unusual colour too.
1 person likes this
@CarolDM (203422)
• Nashville, Tennessee
7 Apr 22
Amazing to learn about the many different horses.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (342448)
• Rockingham, Australia
8 Apr 22
There must be hundreds of breeds. I'm sure there are others I don't know about.
1 person likes this
@CarolDM (203422)
• Nashville, Tennessee
8 Apr 22
@JudyEv I know there are many for sure.
1 person likes this