Porrentruy, 08.07.2012
Tour de France
The FM horse
The High Plateau of the Franches-Montagnes in the Swiss Jura is the birthplace of the Franches-Montagnes horse breed. This horse is descended from native mares that were cross-bred many times. It is the only breed of Swiss origin.
Vaillant, born in 1891 near Saignelégier and Imprévu, imported to Switzerland in 1889, are the principal sires.
The main qualities of the Franches-Montagnes horse are exceptional character and obedience. It is a calm, precocious and tough horse that is easy to train and has remarkable learning abilities. Medium in size and measuring 15 or 16 hands at the age of three, it is the archetypal leisure horse for carriage driving and riding.
The Franches-Montagnes Equestrian Network Association (AREF)
The AREF established a network of more than 150 km of signposted paths for horse riders and still maintains it. The network comprises three looping routes of around 45 km, each connected to the others by various links or shortcuts. The great advantage of this network unquestionably the automatic barrier closure system.
The paths are free to use but each rider is asked to pay for a voucher equivalent to CHF 7.00 per day. This fee enables the AREF to continue to improve and maintain the network.
A lot of activities with horses are proposed:
