This ancient, semi-feral breed gets its name from the region in which it hails along France’s Southern coast. It is here among the wetlands of the River Rhone delta the Camargue horses have carved out a rugged, self-sufficient existence.

And my, aren’t they dreamy? Celebrated and romanticized for their striking grey coats, this breed might be supermarket fiction book cover ready, but make no mistake, they are tough. In fact, for centuries local cowboys have used them to herd bulls, and they have proven to be natural athletes, excelling in disciplines from dressage to endurance.