endangered. As of 2010 falling demand for this breed means that 60% of the Boulonnais bred in France are destined for meat. Today they are bred for pleasure but if the colts are not sold before weaning and gelding, they will be sold to the butchers. 95% of the colts born in 2016 are no longer with us.
For me, this was the breed of my dreams. Twenty-six years ago, I bought a breed book and fell in love with the Boulonnais, the amazing white horse. I had never heard of them before. For years, I looked to see if there were any in the U.S. I dreamt a wealthy person would come along, buy a Boulonnais and bring them to our horse fairs, so for just one day I could see, touch, love one. Until late in January of 2015 their whereabouts stayed hidden from me. I was thrilled when I finally found them in France. Little did I know, at that point how much they would change my life and how much passion they would instill in me. I never thought I would get a chance to meet these wonderful animals or go to France, but that is exactly what I did.
In 2015 I flew to France. Tears of joy swept down my face seeing my first Boulonnais, the stallion Timide de L’ecurie. I never thought I would see one, let alone own one. I eventually bought two yearlings from this gentleman, one being a colt of Timide’s, a very special horse. In five days, we went to as many Boulonnais breeders as we could, thanks to the introductions from the first breeder. They were only too happy to accommodate us with the realization that their breed was not forgotten and at least one American cared and carried an extraordinary amount of passion for this breed.
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Kathi Stewart and Spyder
Kirt Ellert Photography
Ben Hur De Bernaville and Caline de la Course were imported in the summer of 2015, with Caline having been bred to Oslo 85 prior to being shipped. The foal, a filly, was born on April 1, 2016. Both Caline and the filly are owned by Laura Sallis of Wisconsin. In February of 2016 another colt, Fier De L’ecurie and two fillies, Facile De L’ecurie and Firfole Du Buck joined us. Now America has six Boulonnais in the country and we have started to bring the breed back to the U.S.
I have now been to France three times, but never for sightseeing, only to visit Boulonnais breeders and places where the horses are. In Calais, there is a mounted police unit composed of six Boulonnais geldings, a stunning sight. However, my heart belongs to 94-year-old Boulonnais breeder, Emile Degardin. This delightful, charming
from the Germans by hiding them in the forest and keeping them on the move. No easy task, as many of the battles were fought over their breeding grounds. I am so thankful for brave men like Emile, as we all should be. I tell people in France that Emile is famous here, as I share his videos of his beloved Boulonnais. It doesn’t matter that we don’t know what he is saying.
The breed has lingered on the edge of extinction since the World Wars and is considered a heritage breed that should be classified endangered
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