 The French conquest of Algeria ( 1830 @-@ 1847 ) brought the Anglo @-@ Norman into competition with the Barb horse . In 1873 , the <unk> law was passed , which established premiums for French horse breeders , while taxing imported horses . The protectionism was the result of the desire of native French breeders to protect their interests against imports from the French colonies . The law was named after Edward <unk> , a politician from Calvados , who argued that the law was supportive of French agriculture , and especially the Anglo @-@ Norman breed . He called the Anglo @-@ Norman a " horse of the time ... suitable for all services . " He said that they were useful for both riding and driving , and sought after by both military and commercial interests . The law significantly increased national breeding standards and encouraged the production of half @-@ blood horses , especially Anglo @-@ Normans , for military use . The development of the Anglo @-@ Norman saddle horse breed had long been delayed by a focus on the production of fashionable carriage horses . This resulted in the military imposing major breeding changes on breeders , who were often unaware of the jobs their horses performed for the military . However , conflict between breeders and the military often resulted from disagreements over breeding aims . 
