Horse breeds / Navarrin horse
Photo: Louis Moll, Eugène Nicolas Gayot · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons
Horse breed
Navarrin horse
The Navarrin is a French horse from the Navarre region in the southwest of France, near the Pyrenees. Like many regional French breeds, it was developed as a practical farm and light draft horse, used for field work, transport, and general agricultural labor.
Navarrins are generally described as sturdy, calm, and willing, with a solid build suited to steady work rather than speed. They tend to be sensible under saddle and in harness, and their steady nature makes them reasonable for riders who want a dependable mount. Their way of going is practical and forward rather than flashy.
Day to day, a Navarrin needs regular movement, good hoof care, and a consistent routine. Turnout with access to forage suits them well, and they do best with daily contact and some purposeful work to keep them fit and content. They are generally companionable and settle well with others.
Good for: Trail riders, farm work, first-time owners with patience
| Size | medium |
| Weight | 992–1213 lb |
| Height | 59–63 in |
| Life span | 25–30 years |
| Exercise | about 45 min a day |
| Shedding | moderate |
| Origin | France |
Watch the diet closely, since Navarrins can gain weight easily on rich pasture.
Living with a Navarrin horse
Exercise
Most Navarrins benefit from daily movement, ideally a mix of ridden or in-hand work and free turnout. Around 30 to 60 minutes of purposeful work most days keeps them fit. Too little exercise can lead to weight gain and stiffness, particularly for easy keepers.
Grooming
The coat is typically short to medium and needs regular brushing to stay clean and healthy. Mane and tail can be kept tidy with routine detangling. Regular hoof care with a farrier every five to eight weeks is important, and clipping is only needed for horses in regular work during colder months.
At home
Navarrins are generally hardy and do well outdoors with a sheltered run-in or shelter and access to grazing. Stabling is usually only needed in severe weather or during recovery. They are normally happiest in a herd, though they can manage alone with regular human company. Most are easy keepers and do well on good pasture with supplemental hay as needed.
Training
Navarrins are typically calm and willing learners who respond well to patient, consistent handling. They suit trail riding, light driving, and general ranch or farm work, and they can progress into more structured disciplines with time. A green Navarrin will usually be steady and sensible but may take longer to build strength and balance than lighter breeds.
Health
As with many draft-influenced breeds, owners should watch for weight-related conditions such as laminitis, particularly in easy keepers on rich pasture. Hoof health and joint soundness are worth monitoring with age and heavy work. Please ask a veterinarian about screening and care suited to your individual horse.
- Laminitis
- Obesity-related metabolic issues
- Hoof and joint problems
Known tendencies, not a diagnosis: ask your vet about this breed.
The numbers for a Navarrin horse
Forage and water, adult
17–28 lb of hay a day
Forage at 1.5–2.5% of body weight at 992–1213 lb, and 10–18 gallons of water, more in heat and on hay alone. Grain only for the work being done.
What a year costs
$3,150–$5,350
Hay about $1,971, plus farrier every 6–8 weeks, routine vet, dental and dewormer. Board, lessons and showing on top; US averages.
Weather
Watch above 80°F, stop at 90°F
Blanket or shelter below 10°F. Horses mind heat more than cold: with shelter and water most are fine to about 10°F unclipped, and above a heat index of 150 (air °F + humidity %) ride early or not at all.
Where a Navarrin horse is comfortable
Easy most of the year: Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Washington, DC, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming.
Summer needs care (early rides, shade, fans): Arizona, Nevada, Oklahoma, Texas, Utah.
Winter needs care (blanket, shelter, water that is not frozen): North Dakota.
From typical July highs and January lows by state and this breed's heat and cold limits. Shade, shelter and water change everything; this is about turnout and work.
Right now
Latest feed recalls
Multiple Brand Names: Chicken Feed, Swine Feed, Cattle Feed, Horse Feed
ADM Animal Nutrition · Apr 1 · Specific lots may contain elevated levels of calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium and/or chloride and may harm chickens, swine, beef cattle and equine.
Rescue a Navarrin horse
Shelters and breed rescues list Navarrin horses and Navarrin horse mixes every week. Search adoptable Navarrin horses on Petfinder → New to the breed? The first-horse kit →
Is a Navarrin horse right for you?
- Yes if you want a calm, sensible horse for trail riding
- Yes if you have space for turnout and daily movement
- Yes if you want a dependable all-round farm companion
- Think twice if you need a fast or highly athletic sport horse
- Think twice if you are an easy keeper's owner on rich pasture
Questions owners ask
Is the Navarrin good for beginners?
Generally yes. Navarrins are calm and steady, which suits many first-time owners, though good guidance and a patient routine help.
How much does a Navarrin cost?
Prices vary widely by age, training, and region. Speak with breeders or sale barns in France or the US for current figures.
How tall is a Navarrin?
Adults typically stand around 150 to 160 centimetres at the withers, roughly 14.5 to 15.5 hands.
How long do Navarrins live?
With good care, Navarrins commonly live into their mid-twenties to around thirty years.
Are Navarrins easy keepers?
Many are, so managing pasture access and body condition carefully is important to avoid weight gain and laminitis risk.
Similar breeds
Written by Hoofdeck editors · updated Nov 13, 2026 · facts from Wikidata and Wikimedia Commons; health notes are general veterinary guidance, not a diagnosis.