Discover the Haras national du Pin enhancement center

Presentation of the Centre de Valorisation

Based at the Haras National du Pin in Normandy, the Center is home to Percheron and Cob Normand horses, selected from among the best of their generation. These horses are trained to meet the new uses of horse power, as well as for show, leisure and competition.

The Center is the only one in France to train territorial and utility horses, with support services for local authorities, companies and private individuals to guarantee the smooth running of services. Particular attention is paid to the selection of “territorial” horses, to ensure that they have the necessary aptitudes to work for local authorities.

Since 2021, the Center has also been home to a nursery for Normandy and Cotentin donkeys, to help preserve these endangered breeds.

Each trained animal is then marketed to become an ambassador for its breed.

Discover our horses and donkeys

Discover the Haras national du Pin enhancement center

The missions of the Centre de Valorisation

The Centre de Valorisation du Haras national du Pin is actively involved in a number of key missions to promote and enhance the use of draught horses, particularly those from Normandy’s heritage breeds. The center plays a key role in developing the use of Normandy-bred horses and donkeys in various sectors. Here are the main actions we take to achieve these objectives:

Promoting the use of Normandy heritage breeds

The center works to promote Norman draught horses and donkeys, renowned for their hardiness, endurance and versatility. We work with various local players to encourage the use of these breeds in utilitarian, territorial and agricultural activities. This enables us both to preserve this unique genetic heritage, and to meet today’s needs in terms of animal traction.

Train quality horses and donkeys adapted to new needs

In an ever-changing world, we train horses and donkeys to meet new challenges and modern requirements. Whether working in agriculture, transport or the maintenance of natural areas, our horses and donkeys are trained to adapt to a variety of contexts, and accustomed to being confronted with new situations. Our training incorporates methods that respect their well-being, which also guarantees a quality relationship with humans.

Supporting territorial and utility horse projects

The center actively supports local authorities, businesses and professionals in implementing projects involving territorial and utility horses. We offer tailor-made support, including advice, training and project follow-up. The aim is to ensure the durability and viability of these initiatives, which contribute to the ecological transition and sustainable development of local areas.

These concrete actions testify to our commitment to making Norman draught horses
indispensable partners in many projects, reconciling tradition and innovation.

The uses for which our horses and donkeys are trained

The Centre de Valorisation du Haras national du Pin trains its horses and donkeys for a wide variety of uses, adapted to the needs of local authorities, professionals in the agricultural and tourism sectors, as well as private individuals with a leisure vocation. The horses and donkeys, rigorously selected and trained, offer multiple skills to meet specific uses, contributing to the preservation of traditions while adapting to modern needs.

Here are the main fields of application in which our horses can be used :

Territorial use : Our horses are used for local jobs such as mowing lawns, watering public spaces, collecting waste, cleaning up urban areas and transporting materials. These activities make the most of their power and versatility, while contributing to environmentally-friendly practices.
Maintenance of natural areas : Thanks to their training in skidding and maintenance of wooded or natural areas, rivers and sensitive aquatic sites, Haras horses are essential players in the sustainable management of forests and sensitive areas.
Passenger transport : Our horses help to transport people in a variety of contexts, from public and school transport to sightseeing. They are a highly attractive, environmentally-friendly alternative for travel, especially in rural areas where their presence brings life back to town centers and villages.
Agricultural uses : The horses trained by our center are also invaluable allies in agricultural work. They can be used to pull vegetables and work in vineyards. Every day, they demonstrate their efficiency when the use of heavy tractors has to be limited.
Horse guards : In collaboration with the police, gendarmerie or security services, our horses take part in mounted guard missions. Their selection and specific training in this field enable them to intervene in situations requiring both great mastery and imposing stature, thus contributing to public safety in a more popular way.
Shows, circuses and presentations : Our horses are regularly called upon to perform in equestrian shows and circuses. Their size, docility and ability to impress crowds make them surprising performers in the arts too.
Sport and leisure : Finally, our horses are trained for sport and leisure activities, whether mounted or harnessed. Despite their size, our draught horses can excel in a variety of equestrian disciplines, including driving competitions, while remaining accessible for the leisure of amateur riders.

Combining tradition and modernity, power and docility, the Normandy draught horses of the Haras national du Pin are incomparable partners in many sectors of activity, contributing to sustainable practices that respect the environment. Their versatility, calmness and power are essential assets in every field of application. Last but not least, they are excellent mediators with the general public.

Territorial horses and horse power

The territorial horse, harnessed or mounted, is used in towns and cities for public service missions such as waste collection, cleaning, security, passenger transport, maintenance of green spaces or skidding.

But above all, it’s part of a sustainable development approach, helping to maintain biodiversity, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and provide renewable energy.

Horse power: an opportunity to develop new projects!

Center de Valorisation methods

At the valorization center, around twenty animals, horses and donkeys, are trained each year. For each animal, the training period is adapted to its physical and mental capacities. Our animals alternate periods of rest, growth, handling and learning. Everything is done progressively, gently and firmly. Our horses and donkeys learn to respect man, but in a spirit of trust. This requires a specific framework, followed by the whole team, who follow the same methods.

In addition to routine veterinary care, our animals receive regular osteopathic and dental check-ups. We avoid any risk of physical pain which could have repercussions on training.

As far as horses destined for mounted polices are concerned, the center’s selection criteria are drastic to enable them to evolve over many years of walking on hard ground. This includes prior x-ray examinations, as well as a systematic check of legs and feet before purchase.

The methods and expertise of the Haras national du Pin development center

The Centre de Valorisation team

Etienne DECAYEUX

President of Trait et Âne de Normandie

Hélène MOREL

Coordinator

Monitoring horses, partnerships, development, communication, sales administration

Laurent RENOU

Driving referent

Horse training, driving and pulling

Agathe Denaerynck

Technical Manager

Training horses on foot and mounted

Julian BERGEON

Asin technical agent

Driver, Training of horses and donkeys on foot, mounted and harnessed

A word from the President

« Enhancing the value of Normandy’s heritage breeds is a priority for the equine industry. But conserving these breeds also means developing their uses, which is why the Centre de Valorisation is an important tool for the equine and asinine industry, from breeders to users.

Today, we want to develop the center, enabling it to welcome animals of different ages and profiles, while maintaining quality in training and selection. To achieve this, we can rely on the skills and infrastructure provided by the Haras National du Pin, a key partner in this project.

The Centre de Valorisation is an exceptional showcase for our draught and asinine breeds. We are therefore extremely fortunate to be able to continue developing such a tool. For the whole team, it’s a real objective to show that heritage breeds are also an important part of the excellence of the Normandy equine industry.»

Etienne DECAYEUX
President of Trait et Âne de Normandie