The M'Par or Mpar is a breed of small horse from the historic region of Cayor in Senegal, in West Africa.[2]: 253 It may for that reason be called the French: Cheval de Cayor. It is the smallest of the four Senegalese horse breeds,[3]: 263 the others being the M'Bayar, the Fleuve and the Foutanké.[4]: 23
| Conservation status | not recognized |
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| Country of origin | Senegal |
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History
The origins of the horse in Senegal are not documented.[3]: 261 According to some authors, including Georges Doutressoulle, the M'Par may be an autochthonous breed with ancient origins in the area;[1]: 4 others such as René Larrat see the horses of Senegal as descendants of Barb horses from the Maghreb countries to the north.[3]: 261
In 1996, Senegal had a horse population of about 400,000 head, the largest of any West African country.[5]: 36 This was a substantial increase from the 216,000 reported in 1978,[1]: 10 and a much greater increase from the population after the Second World War, estimated at barely 30,000.[3]: 260 Population numbers for the M'Par are not reported.[6] In 2007 the FAO did not have data from which to estimate the conservation status of the M'Par breed.[7]: 101
The M'Par is gradually being assimilated into the much larger M'Bayar population, and is at risk of extinction.[5]: 37
Characteristics
The M'Par is a small horse or pony. It is generally of poor conformation, heavy-headed, too long in the back, thin-legged, flat-chested and often with defective conformation of the legs. In compensation for these defects, it has exceptional qualities of endurance and rusticity.[3]: 263
Use
Horses play an important part in the social and economic life in Senegal. The M'Par is used as a light draught horse. Because of its small size it is able to pull only light carts and fiacres.[1]: 16