2. Equine

Haras Picard Du Sant - Ariege Pyrenees

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Jean Louis has a chat with the farmer.
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Jean Louis has a chat with the farmer.

Merens HorsesfranceHaras Picard Du SantLasserreAriege Pyrenees.

  • In June 2012, after a week in Condom, France, My good friend Sue Ratclife and I travelled into the heart of the Pyeneese Mountains where we spent three glorious days at Haras Picard Du Sant with Jean Louis and his wife Christine at their wonderful farm. The highlight of our time there was the day he took us high into the Pyrenees Mts. to check on his herd of Merens horses that are turned out for 5 months of the year. This collection of images is the story of that day.
  • On our way up the Mountain, we travelled through stunning quintessential villages. This was not a tourist area at all. In fact, this area known as Ariege Puyrenees is one of Frances' most pristine unspoiled regions.
  • The town's Church!
  • Untitled photo
  • Small winding roads with very old stone homes and gardens in full bloom. This was absolutely gorgeous!
  • A river runs right through the town.
  • We started to climb the Mountain at first by car. The first stop was to visit the sheppards who take care of multiple herds of sheep. Jean Louis wanted to check in with them and say hello. I'm glad he knew which way to go,.
  • Up we went, higher and higher along a dirt road. It was early morning and the views were stunning! The road was narrow and we were pulling an empty horse trailer behind us so at times, it was quite nerve wracking. See the bend on this road....it was very scary.
  • Here is a close up shot of that harrowing bend along the narrow dirt road. See what I mean about it being a bit scary!!! Jean Louis makes this 2 hour drive up into the Mountains, twice a week to check on his horses.
  • A close up of some of the beautiful wild flowers that were in full bloom and blanketing part of the meadows before climbing up into the higher region of the Mountain.
  • We drove right up to this cottage where two sheep herders live for the whole season and are care takers for most of the animals that are on the Mountain grazing for the season. This cottage was so simple and yet beautiful. How did we get to be so lucky to experience seeing this. Jean Louis asked the Sheep Herder if we could take a couple of photos. They did agree but reluctantly, so we only took a few photos so as not to intrude too much,.
  • Jean Louis has a chat with the farmer.
  • He did agree to a photo in his door way at my request. Rural shepherds have two primary tools for controlling and protecting their flocks: the rod and the staff. The rod is a wooden club, hand-made by the shepherd; the staff is a tall, hooked stick that often appears in pictures of ancient shepherds. Here you can see the traditional shepherds Staff. How cool is that!!
  • After the visit with the sheep herder, we parked our car and started what was to be a four mile walk into the Moutains to find the horses. There are designated areas for grazing. Some for sheep, some for horses. Jean Louis knew right where to go to look for his herd.
  • A little more than halfway to the herd there was a hut for farmers or people on a pilgrimage to Lourdes. Inside was very basic indeed but you were welcome to sleep there if you needed to.
  • Inside the hut was all you needed. A fire, a table, some hard liquor and above was a flat plank where you could sleep. Pretty cozy don't you think?
  • Along the way we spotted a small Mt. village tucked into the hills. I think a close look is needed!
  • Here is your closer look! Funny how I don't see a road.
  • Finally, after much searching and lots of whistling from Jean Louise we found the herd of Merens at the bottom of the valley. As soon as they heard the whistles, they started up the Mountain to meet us.
  • In parts, the closer they got, the less we could of them as they walked through tall ferns.
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