The French trotter was born in the mid-19th century amidst the appearance of the first trot races. A cross of purebred stallions and Norman mares and then contributions from the Norfolk Trotter of Great Britain, the breed is highly present in the region of Basse-Normandie. Faced with an ever-increasing number of horses in the 1990s, the French Horse Breeding Society was forced to take measures to limit the number of mares serviced in a year. By selecting the best broodmares, the products thus gain greater quality. On average, a third are selected for the races and others for leisure, show jumping, treks or hunting with hounds as possible channels.