Mérens — a compact, sturdy mountain-type horse of medium size with a pronounced "pony-like" build while retaining all the features of a true horse. Height at withers 1350–1480 mm (ideal 1420–1450 mm). Live weight 350000–450000 g (stallions 400000–450000 g, mares 350000–410000 g). Build square, deep, with a strong bone structure and well-developed musculature. Head relatively small, dry, with a broad forehead and slightly convex profile. Eyes large, dark brown. Ears 110–140 mm. Neck short, very muscular, with a pronounced crest in stallions. Body deep and compact, chest girth 1700–1900 mm. Back short, straight. Croup rounded, slightly sloping. Limbs strong, with short muscular forearms and gaskins, wide cannons and pasterns. Hooves broad, strong, with black horn. Feathering moderate. Tail set low, thick. Skin always black. In winter the coat is very dense, long (up to 40–50 mm), in summer — short and glossy. Standard allows only black coat color (pure black), a small white star or narrow stripe on the forehead is permitted. Distinguished by compact "cob-type" build, strong bone structure, dense winter coat and almost 100% pure black coat color.