Our horses & donkeys

The animals at the Centre de Valorisation are all selected in close collaboration with the breeders’ associations. Each year, a buy/sell committee comprising the breed associations, Trait and Âne de Normandie, as well as the Haras du Pin, determines the number of animals for the coming year, their age and characteristics, and the purchase price for breeders.

During this commission, the selling price of horses and donkeys from the Centre de Valorisation is also set with the breeders. The price set is intended not only to ensure the Center’s economic equilibrium, but also to support the industry and guarantee its sustainability. The purchase of a horse or donkey from the Centre de Valorisation is therefore an important support for the Normandy breeding industry as a whole.

During the course of the year, a breed-specific selection committee meets with breeders to select the animals that will then join the Centre de Valorisation. Depending on the case, breeders may be asked to undergo specific examinations (X-rays, PSSM tests) before joining the Center. Once on site, an additional 15-day trial period ensures that the horse or donkey is suited to the expected environment. In most cases, this period proves conclusive, and the animal is kept to be trained and educated by us.