The Mérens represents the ancient race of black horses of the Pyrenees. Born and raised in the mountains, our horses like the Mérens of Ariège in general, spend most of their lives living with the herd. It's in their extremely demanding natural environment - where they pass the winter and the foals are born - that they acquire their character: healthy, reliable and sensitive.

Our horses are raised and trained on our farm, the herd living on a vast plateau above the farm (1000 m elevation). They represent the "new model" Mérens: refined, sportive, adapted to mountain trekking.

In June the mares and their foals are brought to the "estives": summer pastures in the high mountains at 1500 - 2000 m elevation) where they remain until autumn or the first major snowfall.

The "transhumance" is an occasion to accompany the herd on horseback (often their sons and daughters) for a 3-day trip to the summer pastures in June as well as the return to the valley in October).

(For the exact dates, see our trek calendar.)