Landais pony

The Landais or Barthais is a small pony from the Landes region of southwest France, and from the area of Pau in particular. They are used for riding and driving, and are noted for their trotting speed, with one member of the breed holding the speed record for the 100 kilometres (62 mi) route between Paris and Chartres. Developed by crossing native French horse with Arabian and possibly English blood, many members of the breed lived a feral existence in the forests and marshes of Landes until after World War II. Deaths from war-related causes and cross breeding caused the breed population to drop precipitously during this time. Post-World War II, another pony type from the region, the Barthais, was merged into the Landais due to low population numbers. Breed numbers remain low, with less than 100 new foals born each year. A 2008 genetic study concluded the Landais was one of five French equine breeds that should be conservation priorities in order to maintain maximum genetic variability in the French horse population.