Nivernais Horse
The Nivernais horse was a French draft horse associated with the Nivernais area of Burgundy. It is often described as a heavy black horse influenced by Percheron breeding and selected for farm power, hauling, and local draft work. The historical population declined or was absorbed as agriculture mechanized and French draft breeding consolidated.
For modern readers, the Nivernais horse is mainly a regional draft-horse history rather than a common living breed. Its management context would have involved heavy harness, substantial feed, careful hoof care, and selection for strength without losing soundness. Anyone preserving related lines or records should distinguish verified Nivernais ancestry from general black draft appearance, because color alone cannot define the old type.
Colors: Amber Champagne, Bay, Bay Dun, Bay Roan, Black, Blanket Appaloosa, Blue Roan, Brown, Buckskin, Champagne, Chestnut, Classic Champagne, Cremello, Dun, Dun Roan, Fewspot Appaloosa, Flaxen Chestnut, Frame Overo, Gold Champagne, Gray, Grey, Grullo, Leopard Appaloosa, Liver Chestnut, Overo, Palomino, Perlino, Piebald, Pinto, Rabicano, Red Dun, Red Roan, Roan, Sabino, Seal Bay, Silver Dapple, Skewbald, Smoky Black, Smoky Cream, Snowcap Appaloosa, Sorrel, Splash White, Tobiano, Tovero, Varnish Roan, White
