Recognized for their strength, spirit, speed, maneuverability, resistance, and hardiness, Camargue horses have always been mainly used as saddle horses, for the work of gardians (herdsmen), but also for other types of riders. While they were acceptable mounts for knights in the late Middle Ages, their medium-sized morphology and lack of presence no longer corresponded to the physical criteria sought from the middle of the 16th century. Over the centuries, many efforts have been put in place trying to increase the size of the Camargue breed, such as the introduction of Normans and Limousins improver horses unfortunately unsuited to the rigors of the local climate.