M'Par

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

M'Par

Conservation status	not recognized
Other names	Mpar Cayor Cheval du Cayor
Country of origin	Senegal
Traits
Distinguishing features	Height: 1.25–1.35 m[1]: 16
Equus ferus caballus

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