Horses of the Camargue

85 unpaginated pages with diagrams and plates. Oblong quarto (10 1/2" x 12") bound in original publisher's green cloth with gilt lettering to spine in original pictorial jacket. Preface by Konrad Lorenz. First edition. The Camargue horse is an ancient breed of horse indigenous to the Camargue area in southern France. Its origins remain relatively unknown, although it is generally considered one of the oldest breeds of horses in the world. For centuries, possibly thousands of years these small horses have lived wild in the harsh environment of the Camargue marshes and wetlands of the Rhône delta, which covers part of the départements of Gard and Bouches-du-Rhône. There they developed the stamina, hardiness and agility for which they are known today. Traditionally, they live in semi-feral conditions in the marshy land of the region. The Camargue horse is the traditional mount of the gardians, the Camargue "cowboys" who herd the black Camargue bulls used in bullfighting in southern France. Camargue horses galloping through water is a popular and romantic image of the region. Condition: Previous owner's gift inscription to front end paper. Jacket with some edge wear else a very good copy in like jacket.