Horse breed
AQPS
The AQPS is a French breed resulting from crosses between Thoroughbreds and French saddle mares, often of Anglo-Arab or trotter origin. The objective was to create a robust and enduring horse, suitable for jump racing.
The breed at a glance
The AQPS is renowned for its courageous, willing, and generous temperament. It is an intelligent, reactive horse with a strong desire to please, making it an excellent athlete, although sometimes sensitive and requiring patient training.
- Category
- sport horse
- Origin
- France · Late 19th century - Early 20th century
- Height at withers
- 160–175 cm
- Weight
- 450–550 kg
- Lifespan
- 20-25 years
- Common coats
- bay, chestnut, grey
- Disciplines
- Jump Racing, Eventing (CCE), Show Jumping (CSO)
- Other names
- Autre Que Pur-Sang
Origin and history
The AQPS is a French breed resulting from crosses between Thoroughbreds and French saddle mares, often of Anglo-Arab or trotter origin. The objective was to create a robust and enduring horse, suitable for jump racing. The AQPS Studbook was created in 1976, officially recognizing these horses for their athletic abilities, particularly in steeplechase and cross-country. Rigorous selection has established qualities of speed, stamina, and jumping.
Conformation and physique
The AQPS is a sport horse with an athletic build, well-built, with strong bone structure and developed musculature. It presents a harmonious silhouette, combining the refinement of the Thoroughbred with the robustness of French saddle breeds.
The head is expressive, often refined and well-proportioned, with a straight or slightly concave profile. The eyes are lively and intelligent, the ears mobile and well-set.
The neck is long, muscular, and well-set, blending harmoniously into a prominent and well-defined wither, promoting balance and range of motion.
The back is generally short and strong, with a taut and muscular topline. The chest is deep and wide, providing good respiratory capacity. The hindquarters are long, muscular, and powerful, often slightly sloped, conducive to propulsion.
The limbs are long, clean, and strong, with large and well-defined joints. The cannons are short and the tendons well-defined. The feet are round, hard, and well-formed. The feathering is sparse.
- Common coats: bay, chestnut, grey
Temperament and aptitudes
The AQPS is renowned for its courageous, willing, and generous temperament. It is an intelligent, reactive horse with a strong desire to please, making it an excellent athlete, although sometimes sensitive and requiring patient training.
The gaits are expansive, supple, and energetic, with good balance. The gallop is particularly powerful and extended, essential for jump racing, and the walk and trot are also of good quality.
- Uses: jump racing (steeplechase, cross-country, hurdles), eventing (CCE), show jumping (CSO)
- Disciplines: Jump Racing, Eventing (CCE), Show Jumping (CSO)
Feeding the AQPS
The AQPS is a demanding athlete, requiring a rich and balanced diet to support its activity level. Its metabolism is fast, and it needs a significant energy intake. Good quality forage (hay ad libitum) forms the basis, supplemented by energy-rich concentrates (cereals, compound feeds for sport horses) and proteins, adjusted according to the intensity of work. It does not have a particular tendency to gain weight if worked regularly.
Although robust, the AQPS, like any sport horse, can be sensitive to dietary imbalances, particularly an excess of starch or fast sugars, which can promote digestive disorders (colic, ulcers) or muscular issues (myositis). It does not have a documented predisposition to laminitis, EMS, or PSSM specific to the breed, but rigorous dietary management is paramount.
With Equio, every feed, supplement or treat is read against the horse's real profile (age, weight, Body Condition Score, conditions) — useful for a AQPS as soon as a metabolic or digestive sensitivity is known.
Health and points to watch
Regular monitoring of the musculoskeletal system is essential, with preventive veterinary check-ups. Particular attention must be paid to air quality in stables to prevent respiratory conditions. Stress and dietary management are crucial to limit the risk of gastric ulcers.
- More frequent conditions: osteoarticular conditions (osteoarthritis, osteochondrosis) due to intense athletic demands, respiratory problems (heaves, cough) in case of poor environmental management, gastric ulcers (common in racehorses)
Care and grooming
The hooves of the AQPS, often solid, require regular trimming and shoeing adapted to its intense athletic activity. The mane, tail, and coat are generally easy to maintain, with daily brushing usually sufficient. Clipping is common during competition periods to facilitate drying and thermal regulation. Careful monitoring of the skin is recommended, especially after exertion.
Did you know?
- The name 'AQPS' stands for 'Autre Que Pur-Sang' (Other Than Thoroughbred), originally designating any racehorse that was not a Thoroughbred, before becoming a distinct breed with its own Stud Book.
- Many AQPS horses have won prestigious races such as the Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris, proving their excellence in the discipline.
- AQPS selection is based on racing performance, which ensures bloodlines of athletic and competitive horses.
The AQPS and how to track it
The AQPS is an emblematic breed in France, primarily bred for jump racing. It is very present on French racecourses and is also increasingly sought after for eventing and show jumping.
Equio lets you build a complete profile for a AQPS: identity, weight, Body Condition Score, feeding, conditions, care reminders (vaccines, worming, trimming) and an exportable health log. The breed sets the identity; everyday decisions still depend on the real horse and your vet's advice.
- Record the activity level: rest, leisure, sport or breeding
- Add known conditions or sensitivities
- Scan feeds, plants and care products
- Keep reminders (vaccines, worming, trimming)
- Prepare a PDF export before a vet appointment
Frequently asked questions
Is the AQPS a good horse for an amateur rider?
The AQPS is an athletic and reactive horse, often with a strong character. It is better suited for experienced or supervised riders who can manage its energy and continue its athletic training. For an amateur rider, an AQPS retired from racing can be an excellent leisure or sport mount, provided it has been well re-trained.
What is the average price of an AQPS?
The price of an AQPS varies considerably depending on its age, lineage (racing bloodlines), performance, and training level. A young foal can cost from a few thousand to several tens of thousands of euros for promising bloodlines. A horse retired from racing may be more affordable, but its price will depend on its retraining and potential.
Is the AQPS suitable for show jumping?
Yes, the AQPS is particularly well-suited for show jumping. Its power, courage, and natural jumping ability, developed for jump racing, make it an excellent candidate for CSO and CCE. Many AQPS horses excel in these disciplines after their racing careers.
How to recognize an AQPS?
The AQPS is recognized by its athletic physique, developed musculature, and solid bone structure, inherited from its racing origins. It often has an expressive head, a long neck, and a prominent wither. Its willing temperament and energy are also distinctive traits. Confirmation of its identity is done through its identification document and its registration in the AQPS Stud Book.
What are the main qualities of the AQPS?
The main qualities of the AQPS are its courage, robustness, endurance, and exceptional jumping abilities. It is a willing horse, endowed with great energy and a strong recovery capacity, making it a high-level athlete, particularly performing well in demanding disciplines.