Organic Mérens horse farm in the Ariège Pyrenees
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Our Breeding Methods
For over 20 years our farm has perpetuated the traditional breeding of the Mérens horse. Our philosophy is based on the preservation of the race and its ancestral characteristics. From the first hours after birth each foal is handled and grows accustomed to our presence and touch, resulting after 3 years in a healthy, gentle and docile Mérens horse. You can participate in this process during one of our themed weekends during the foaling period.
The entire herd roams free outdoors all year round whatever the weather and every horse is born out in the open. The colts and fillies are approached and handled for about 4 hours every day. This close work and regular human presence throughout its life inculcates in the horse man's odor; consequently a human being becomes a familiar animal.
The second particularity of our operation is the selection of the brood mares and the schooling of the colts and fillies to the saddle and harness. Each one is entered in professional competitions to validate its potential as a leisure horse.
Our Traditions
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Every spring, on the first weekend in June (see Themed Week-ends, Transhumance), we bring most of the herd on foot, except for pregnant mares, up to the mountain pastures -- a 70 km journey from the farm that takes 3 days and 3 nights. The herd will spend 5 months in complete liberty in the Pyrenees, visited twice a week. We judge this stage to be essential, as the very essence of the Mérens' character depends on this return to its natural milieu and environment. See also www.transhumance-pyrenees.com When they return to the farm on the last weekend of October our horses have the allure, coat and musculature corresponding to the breed thanks to the natural environment in which they develop. During this time in the mountains, the herd lives naturally and a hierarchy develops within it just as it does on the farm. The offspring are sired by accredited stallions who generally stay for 2 months on the farm in complete freedom. For 2002 « DARIUS de FANTILHOU » was the happy winner. In 2003 « Lino de Besede », 2004 and 2005 « Fandjo de Carnus », 2006 « Figaro de Quercob », 2007 «Igor de Larbon», 2008-2009 «Figaro de Kercob » and in 2010 «Heracles».. Our herd is mainly the offspring of stallions such as RADIUM, MAX des MARTYS and BONBON, to name just a few. You can participate in the transhumance of our Mérens horses. See details on the Transhumance page. |
