Camille Wilhelm, “Des chevaux qui nous seroient des souches pour l’avenir”

Camille Wilhelm, “Des chevaux qui nous seroient des souches pour l’avenir” perfecting breeds at the Royal Studs of Lorraine (1767-1791)
12 September 2024
Communication proposal
Lorraine in the 18th century was an ideal place for breeding, where the duke’s horses and those of the natives lived together. In 1767, after its annexation to France, Lorraine was subjected to the administration of the Royal Studs, which aimed to improve local breeds for use by the army. The depots scattered across the province and the Rosières stud became key locations for this policy. The aim of this paper is to use archives to trace the breeding process and veterinary care to show how important these places, administrators and horses were, as they remain pillars of equestrian culture.

Biography

Substitute history-geography teacher, I have a Master's degree in historical research from the University of Strasbourg (France), which I defended in June 2023 : the subject was the breeding and veterinary care of horses in Lorraine (15th – 18th centuries), under the supervision of Professor Antoine Follain. I am currently preparing a thesis project in modern history, which will be presented in June 2024 in Strasbourg and will focus on the care of royal stallions throughout the kingdom of France (1665-1791). Given the vastness and diversity of the archives to be consulted, I have already embarked on this collection of sources, which I am studying through the prism of my solid knowledge of veterinary and equine sciences, as a dressage rider and owner of several horses.