 Beginning in the early 1850s , with the arrival of the Second French Empire , the Anglo @-@ Norman became a popular breed in France , competing with the Thoroughbred . It was reputed to be a versatile horse , appropriate for riding and pulling light carriages . From 1840 to 1860 , the breed was further influenced by part @-@ Thoroughbred trotting horses from England . Local Norman mares were crossed with imported Thoroughbreds , Norfolk Trotters , Orlov Trotters and other crossbred horses , which themselves had Norfolk and Mecklenburger blood . By 1855 , the quality of the resulting animals had ensured the breed 's success , and the Anglo @-@ Norman spread throughout France , especially supplanting another type of riding horse from the south , the Limousin horse . In 1864 , the Société du cheval français de demi @-@ sang ( Society of French Half @-@ Blood Horses ) was founded , which later became the Société d 'encouragement à l 'élevage du cheval français ( Society to Encourage French Horse Breeding ) . The breeders spread the description of Norman horses , particularly Anglo @-@ Normans , as versatile horses that could be used for both riding and driving . 
