Anglo-Norman
The Anglo-Norman was a major French horse type from Normandy, developed from local Norman mares crossed with Thoroughbred and other blood to produce coach, cavalry, and saddle horses. It helped supply France with strong, active horses before modern sport-horse breeding consolidated many regional strains. The Anglo-Norman is especially important as a foundation behind the Selle Francais and also influenced trotting and carriage horse lines.
Today the name is most useful in breed history, older pedigrees, and explanations of French sport-horse development. Someone encountering an Anglo-Norman reference should treat it as a clue to ancestry and type rather than a simple buying category. Management of living descendants depends on the individual horse, but the historical ideal was a substantial, athletic animal suited to harness, military riding, and later jumping work.
