Trait du Maine

Trait du Main
Four-year-old gray stallion c. 1930
3-year-old filly c. 1930
Conservation statusextinct
Country of originFrance
Traits
Height
  • 1.60 m to 1.65 m recommended, up to 1.70 m
ColorBlack or grey coat
Distinguishing featuresLong head, straight profile

The Trait du Maine is an extinct draft horse breed originating from the region of Maine in northwestern France. Bred from the 1830s onwards by crossing mares from Mayenne with Percheron stallions, it had its own studbook due to the Percheron Horse Society refusing to include horses born outside of the Perche region. The Trait du Maine was officially recognized as a horse breed in 1926 and had up to 25,000 annual births in 1929. These horses were mainly exported to the agricultural regions of Beauce, France and Spain. In 1966, the Trait du Maine merged their studbook with the Percheron breed, which absorbed it, leading to the elimination of the Trait du Maine as a distinct breed.