 The development of the modern Anglo @-@ Norman horse is similar to that of many other French regional equine populations of the 19th century , when government @-@ run national studs transformed indigenous French horses by introducing foreign stallions . Arabians and Thoroughbreds were major influences . The most common crossbreeding was between native mares used by the military or for pulling carriages and Thoroughbred stallions , and by 1914 these types were recognized as " demi @-@ sang " or " half @-@ blood " horses . Half @-@ blood horses were found in many French regions , and different types were usually named after the regions in which they were bred . The origin of the Anglo @-@ Norman was in Lower Normandy , known for horse breeding , thanks to its climate and soil . The breed developed region @-@ specific specializations . Le Merlerault is the oldest area of origin , and mainly produced saddle horses , while the Cotentin and Auge valleys produced carriage horses . The main center for breeding , especially during the Second French Empire ( 1852 @-@ 1870 ) , was the plains around Caen , where young foals were placed on pasture . The National Studs at Saint @-@ Lô and du Pin , originally military studs for the breeding of cavalry horses , also participated in the breeding of Anglo @-@ Norman horses . At the end of the 19th century , in the Orne , the Anglo @-@ Norman arose almost exclusively in the district of Alençon , specifically Merlerault , with a few being bred in the department of Calvados . Today , Normandy , still a horse breeding center , is home to 20 percent of all mares of the Selle Français breed , the national French sport horse developed in large part from the Anglo @-@ Norman . The region has produced numerous Selle Français that have been successful in international competition . 
