Particularly adapted to its natural environment, the Camargue horse comes from the aristocratic and ecclesiastical breeding of the late Middle Ages. This indispensable partner and companion to the gardian (herdsman) was drastically selected according to its innate abilities and then extensively prepared for herding and sorting cattle. It then enjoyed a special status within the family by being associated with intimate religious ceremonies and practices. The Camargue horse thus participated in the procession and the guard of honor at weddings, led newborn babies into the arms of their godmother for baptisms, and followed the funeral procession of its owner with its saddle covered with black crepe.