Organic Mérens horse farm in the Ariège Pyrenees
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JANUARY : Hog butcheringLearn the mysteries of producing blood sausage, pâtés, hams, sausages and crackling. |
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FEBRUARY, NOVEMBER : Foie grasWe have been preparing our own foie gras and duck confits for generations. Join us to learn how it's made traditionally |
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MARCH : preventive care of the horsesA weekend for selecting the horses for annual vaccinations. This is performed by our veterinarian without restraining them in a a holding pen but in freedom. Before that we have to select all the young males and females for branding and any older mares not yet branded. The branding, vaccinations and microchip insertions are scheduled for this weekend where all our secrets are revealed. |
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| MAY : foaling You'll be among the first to touch a foal, the first contact with humans he'll experience, and you'll observe the first treatments and possibly the first care given to the mare after the traditional first suckling. We'll share with you our natural techniques for introducing the foals into the herd in total liberty, without holding pens or halters or other constraints... only love. Impressive and rich in emotion and energy... ask anyone who has tried it, you'll see! |
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JUNE & OCTOBER : the transhumanceYou'll help bring the herd to the summer grazing pastures in the high mountains at 2000 m. About 20 kms a day of easy riding or walking, we'll follow roads and trails, joining up with herds of cows and flocks of sheep, with festivities along the way and camping out under the stars. |
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JUNE & NOVEMBER : jam makingYou'll help us pick the organically grown fruit from our trees and make your own conserves in our kitchen in a convivial atmosphere. |
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SEPTEMBER : mushroom huntingJoin us in mushroom gathering in the surrounding forests. If we're lucky, you'll savour them in your next meal. If not, you'll have enjoyed some fine autumn walks. |
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2nd weekend of SEPTEMBER : RANDACHEVALEach year the horse farms of Ariège have a weekend for exploring part of the department on horseback or with horsedrawn vehicles. We have participated for the past four years. In 2010 we are organising a gathering of many of the owners of our horses from all over Europe in order to celebrate the 10th anniversary of HARAS PICARD DU SANT. We plan to hold this event every year. |
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OCTOBER : cider and apply brandyWe'll have already picked the apples, so you can help with the grinding and pressing (using a manual American apple press dating from 1895) and then the bottling of the apple juice. And if the "bouilleur de cru" comes round with his still you'll see apple brandy distilled the old fashioned way. |
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