Our Breeding

Our Termenet breeding

For a long time, we have dreamed of living in harmony with this generous nature of the Hautes-Corbières and our animals. Now, it is done: we raise Shetland ponies, a few horses and donkeys there.

We raise mini-Shetland ponies and donkeys in a family setting, on our property, in the heart of the Corbières, at the foot of the famous Cathar castle of Termes, in the heart of nature at the exit of the Gorges du Termenet.

We have realized our passion: to live and work in harmony with nature and with our convictions, in this setting of unspoiled, healthy, bucolic nature, far from any source of pollution. We have set up our activities there: breeding mini-Shetland ponies and donkeys and renting out two gîtes. During school holidays and some weekends, we welcome children to the farm (stays labelled "Bienvenue à la Ferme" by the Aude Chamber of Agriculture), in order to share our life and our activities with them.

Our farm comprises around a hundred hectares of moorland and pastures, scrubland and oak woods. Most of the pastures are located in the valleys and mountains adjoining our sheepfold, the Lacamp plateau and the Peyre Fouillère mountains, at around 800 metres above sea level, the meadows around the château and the Caulière and Sou valleys. Our animals spend a large part of the year there, from spring to autumn, in "summer pastures". In winter, from the end of November to mid-April, they appreciate the proximity of the house and the shelter of their stable in the valley.

Most of our land has been involved in agro-environmental projects, aimed at preserving the environment and biodiversity. Our farm and those of our neighbours thus constitute an important link in the fight against fires, the maintenance of biodiversity and the social and economic fabric of our countryside.

The importance of animal welfare

We encourage, as much as possible, the "natural" reproduction of our animals, often in summer, by our own stallion. In general, three foals are born per year and remain with their mother until their natural weaning (about one year).

The foals are born and grow up "in the family", near the house, an old sheepfold to which we are giving a second life. They live near us, on a daily basis, in the meadows and woods around the sheepfold. In this way, we socialize them, we integrate them perfectly into the family environment that will be theirs.

We work with them every day to get them used to noises, everyday gestures, contact with other animals (dogs, etc.), but also to the environment of civilization, noises and car journeys, contact with people outside the home, and games with children. Of course, we give a large part to cuddles, to gentleness, to the reassuring contact of the master's hand.

We accustom our foals to the very annoying handling, maintenance care, hygiene, veterinary care and the work of the farrier so that each of our animals can be cared for without anxiety, brutality and injuries. Very early, they are accustomed to the halter and walking on a leash. As adults, they are trained to walk and hike. Our main objective is not horse riding, but the pet and leisure animal, especially for children.