Continent: Europe
Country: Switzerland
Weight: 500 – 650 kg
Height: 150 – 162 cm
Teaming of two Franches-Montagnes in Adelboden in the canton of Bern. - CC BY-SA 3.0 - Irmgard
Native of Aiges, Franches-Montagnes stallion of the Swiss National Stud, represents the type suited to harnessing - CC BY-SA 3.0 - Ludovic Péron
Group of Franches-Montagnes horses under saddle at the Swiss National Stud Farm. - CC BY-SA 2.0 fr - Photograph by Rama
The Franches-Montagnes originates from the canton of Jura in Switzerland, more precisely from the Franches-Montagnes plateau, which gave the breed its name. Bred since the Middle Ages by rural communities and monks, it long served as an agricultural workhorse and a military mount.
In the 19th century, crossbreeding with the Thoroughbred and the Anglo-Norman refined its type while preserving its mountain hardiness.
Today, it is recognized as the only surviving Swiss horse breed, a national symbol combining hardiness, versatility, and good temperament.
The historical cradle of the Franches-Montagnes is the Franches-Montagnes plateau, in the Swiss canton of Jura. This high-altitude region, with its rich pastures and harsh climate, shaped the hardiness and strength of the breed.
Today, breeding extends to several cantons:
Although the studbook remains strictly Swiss, the Franches-Montagnes is also present in small populations in other European countries (France, Germany, Austria) and in North America, mainly through the export of stallions and mares.
Management is provided by the Swiss Federation of Franches-Montagnes Horse Breeders (FSFM), which organizes annual fairs and competitions in Saignelégier, the major venue for promoting and selecting the breed.
The Franches-Montagnes is the only surviving Swiss horse breed, which gives it exceptional genetic and cultural value. It represents a preserved core of hardiness and adaptation to Alpine conditions, ensuring the survival of an original equestrian heritage.
Franches-Montagnes breeders reliably pass on:
Historically, the Franches-Montagnes has been used as an improver breed to strengthen the hardiness and maneuverability of certain European half-blood lines. Its blood helped create versatile horses adapted to both agricultural work and military needs.
Today, it is regarded as a valuable genetic reserve in a context where many local breeds have disappeared or been heavily crossbred. Its conservation, overseen by the Swiss studbook and breeding programs, aims to safeguard the global genetic diversity of horses.
The Franches-Montagnes has its roots in the Middle Ages, in the Swiss Jura plateau. Rural and monastic communities bred rustic horses adapted to harsh climates and agricultural work. These local horses were already renowned for their endurance, dietary frugality, and versatility.
From the 18th century onward, crossbreeding with foreign horses was undertaken to strengthen the breed:
These influences shaped a versatile horse, midway between a light draft and a riding half-blood.
In 1897, the official Franches-Montagnes studbook was created, marking the beginning of controlled selection. This institution helped fix the type and prevent excessive genetic dilution.
Until the mid-20th century, the FM was widely used:
With the gradual disappearance of horses in agriculture and the army after the 1950s, the Franches-Montagnes had to find new outlets. It turned toward:
Today, the Franches-Montagnes is regarded as the last surviving Swiss horse breed. It is a national identity symbol, regularly celebrated at the Saignelégier Horse Fair, which attracts thousands of visitors and breeders each year.
The Franches-Montagnes is renowned for its calm and balanced character. It is cooperative, easy to handle, and generally trusting toward humans, making it a safe partner for both beginners and experienced riders.
It has a practical intelligence that allows it to learn quickly and adapt to varied environments. Whether used in driving, trekking, or riding schools, it shows great behavioral versatility.
The Franches-Montagnes develops a strong bond with its rider or handler. Its sociable nature also makes it easy to integrate into a herd, maintaining a stable disposition in collective settings.
Not very emotional, it generally keeps its composure in new or unexpected situations. This contributes to its reputation as a safe and reassuring horse, ideal for families, equine-assisted therapy, and leisure activities.
The Franches-Montagnes is today recognized as part of the Swiss genetic and cultural heritage. Its status as the only native Swiss horse breed guarantees support from federal and cantonal authorities, who finance conservation and genetic improvement programs.
While it was long used in agriculture and the army, the FM is now moving toward leisure and light sport uses:
In a context where breeders are seeking reliable, robust, and easy-to-keep horses, the Franches-Montagnes maintains a competitive advantage. Its dietary frugality, high fertility, and longevity make it well suited to modern sustainable breeding expectations.
Despite its strengths, the breed remains numerically limited (around 20,000 individuals) and faces:
Events such as the Saignelégier Horse Fair or tourist carriage rides in the Jura enhance the FM’s visibility. In the future, its role could be further affirmed as a living symbol of Switzerland, both in equestrian practice and in the promotion of Jura landscapes.
The Franches-Montagnes is recognized for its robustness and longevity. Bred in a demanding mountain environment, it has retained strong natural disease resistance and the ability to adapt to harsh climates.
The breed does not present widespread hereditary disorders, but some sensitivities exist:
The studbook requires regular veterinary checks to limit the transmission of hereditary defects. Swiss breeding favors healthy and fertile lines, to maintain a strong and functional genetic base.
