Equine specialists are divided on the origins of the Comtois horse. Its ancestors would be Germanic (Burgundy) from the 5th century, but the breed also looks a lot like its cousin from the Swiss Jura, the Franches-Montagnes horse (Freiberger). The Swiss army still uses it to tow in the mountains. Others argue that the Burgundian Auxois horse would have something to do with the current morphology of the Comtois horse. Be that as it may, they all have in common a great adaptation to harsh climatic conditions, can stay outside all winter, and have significant endurance.