Is it truly an Altai argali, or is it a hybrid? Some biologists argue that the horn shape (specifically the flare of the tips) is more consistent with the , which has longer, more sweeping horns but thinner bases. Palais insisted it was a true Altai "Big Horn," but without DNA evidence (the original skull was lost in a fire in the 1970s), the debate rages on.

To understand the "Big Horn," one must first understand the artist. Jacques Palais (1920–2006) was a French sculptor and medallist known for his exceptional ability to render animal anatomy with both scientific precision and lyrical motion. Trained at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris, Palais was heavily influenced by the Art Deco movement but broke away to develop a style that emphasized texture and raw power.

: A repository for high-resolution production stills and favorites related to military uniforms, under the username jacquespalais

The series consists of at least 14 individual segments, often ranging from 12 to over 46 minutes each.

The Horns of Moses. Setting the Bible in its Historical Context

| Trait | Description | |-------|-------------| | | 16.0 – 16.3 hands, sturdy but elegant | | Build | Medium bone, sloping shoulder, powerful hindquarters (typical of French jumpers) | | Temperament | Brave but trainable; sometimes described as "hot" but not rank | | Best Discipline | Show jumping (1.30m+), also competitive in dressage due to natural collection | | Weakness | Some lines had less-than-ideal feet (flat soles) and required careful farrier work |