Henson

The breed at a glance

The Henson is renowned for its calm, balanced, and willing temperament. It is a horse that is close to humans, easy to handle and train, making it an excellent companion for leisure and outdoor work.

Category

hardy breed

Origin

France · Late 20th century

Height at withers

148–160 cm

Weight

450–550 kg

Lifespan

25-30 years

Common coats

dun, bay dun, grullo

Disciplines

TREC, endurance (leisure), working equitation, Cossack trick riding

Origin and history

The Henson is a recent French equine breed, developed from the 1970s in the Baie de Somme. It originated from crosses between Fjord horses and French saddle horses (primarily Anglo-Arabs and Selle Français). The objective was to create a versatile, hardy horse suited for outdoor activities. The breed was officially recognized in 2003.

Conformation and physique

The Henson is a medium-sized horse, harmonious and compact, with a typical leisure horse silhouette. It has a solid bone structure and well-developed musculature, without excessive heaviness.

Expressive, medium-sized head, with a straight or slightly concave profile. The ears are small and well-set, the eyes lively and expressive.

Well-set, medium-length, muscular, and well-carried neck. The withers are prominent and well-defined.

Short and strong back, taut and muscular topline. Broad and deep chest. Muscular, slightly sloping croup, with a well-set tail.

Strong and well-conformed limbs, with clean joints and dry tendons. The feet are round, hard, and well-shaped. Light feathering is tolerated.

• Common coats: dun, bay dun, grullo

Temperament and aptitudes

The Henson is renowned for its calm, balanced, and willing temperament. It is a horse that is close to humans, easy to handle and train, making it an excellent companion for leisure and outdoor work.

The Henson's gaits are expansive, supple, and regular, with good balance. They are particularly suited for long distances and varied terrain, offering comfort to the rider.

• Uses: equestrian trail riding, driving, recreational riding, outdoor work, equestrian tourism
• Disciplines: TREC, endurance (leisure), working equitation, Cossack trick riding

Feeding the Henson

The Henson is a hardy horse with an efficient metabolism, inherited from its Fjord ancestors. It is capable of efficiently utilizing coarse forages. It tends to gain weight if overfed. A diet based on good quality hay fed ad libitum, supplemented with minerals and vitamins, is often sufficient. Concentrates are only necessary in cases of intense and prolonged work.

Due to its efficient metabolism, the Henson can be predisposed to laminitis and Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS) if subjected to a diet too rich in sugars and starch, or if overweight. Careful dietary management is crucial to prevent these conditions.

With Equio, every feed, supplement or treat is read against the horse's real profile (age, weight, Body Condition Score, conditions) — useful for a Henson as soon as a metabolic or digestive sensitivity is known.

Health and points to watch

Regular monitoring of weight and body condition is essential to prevent obesity. It is important to ensure an appropriate diet, low in sugars and starch, especially for horses in light work or during periods of lush grass growth. Regular and appropriate hoof trimming is also crucial.

• More frequent conditions: laminitis (in case of poor dietary management), Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS)

Care and grooming

Henson care is relatively simple thanks to its hardiness. The hooves, often hard and healthy, require regular trimming. The mane and tail, usually thick, require occasional detangling. The dense coat does not require clipping except for intensive work in winter. Particular attention should be paid to the skin in cases of prolonged humidity, although the breed is robust.

Did you know?

• The Henson is the only French horse breed to exclusively display the dun coat (or its dun variants).
• It is nicknamed the 'horse of the Baie de Somme' due to its strong connection with this region.
• The breed was created to be a versatile leisure horse, capable of adapting to the harsh conditions of natural environments.

The Henson and how to track it

The Henson breed is primarily bred and used in France, particularly in its region of origin, the Baie de Somme, where it is emblematic of equestrian tourism and outdoor activities.

Equio lets you build a complete profile for a Henson: 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

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