Breed: Provence
Species: Ass
Colour: The Provence donkey has a pinkish-grey coat, similar to turtledove grey, black dorsal stripe, stripes on the limbs
Height: Male: 1.20–1.35 m Female: 1.17–1.30 m
Country: France
Description: Since the 15th century used for transhumance between the Basse-Provence and the high mountain pastures of the Haute Provence. The Donkeys have a strong bone structure, a docile temperament, good limbs in order to travel the mountain tracks. Average size1.20-1.33m (sires), 1.17-1.30m (mares), Large straight head well attached to a strong thick neck, often white around the eyes. The long ears and the edge of the eyes often have a hint of brownish red. Straight back, wide loins, strong hindquarters and powerful strong limbs. The feet, with rather wide hooves for those of a donkey, are perfectly adapted for trekking and heavy weights.
History: The earliest records of the use of donkeys by shepherds in Provence are from the fifteenth century. During the seasonal transhumance between the low ground where the sheep over-wintered and the high alpine pastures where they spent the summer months, donkeys were used as pack animals. They carried, on specially adapted pack-saddles, the equipment and supplies needed by the shepherds along the journey. The area of origin of the breed appears to coincide exactly with the area, consisting of Provence and parts of Savoie and the Ardèche, where transhumant sheep-farming was traditional.
Following the mechanisation of transport in the twentieth century, first by rail and then by road, the breed declined at an alarming rate. At the end of the 19th century, a census in the départements of Provence recorded 13,000 head; in 1956 the number had fallen to around 2000, and by 1993 no more than 330 could be identified.
A breeders' association, the Association de l'Âne de Provence, was formed in December 1992 and worked with the Haras National, the national stud, of Uzès, in Languedoc-Roussillon, to achieve recognition of the breed. A stud-book was opened in December 1995 and in November 2002 the Provence donkey received the official recognition of the Ministère de l'agriculture, de l'alimentation, de la pêche et des affaires rurales, the French ministry of agriculture. The current population is estimated at 1500.
Uses: Attraktion, Pack, Stable Companion, Breeding, Milk, Cosmetics, Therapy, Pet, Trekking, Riding, Driving
Breed Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Provence_Donkey