Equine Studies

In France Normandy

Syllabus
Students will explore and compare United States and French Equine Industry. Topics include breeding, training, trade issues, agricultural trade policy, animal welfare, animal health, marketing, management and research. Students participate in lectures and listen to guest speakers and complete one oral presentation and paper.

Equi-Ressources
- Mission: connecting job offers and demands in the equine industry - Free service for information about equine careers -1,100 job offers per year in French equine industry - Hoping to create an equine education exchange program between the US and France -Website will be translated into English this year

Le Pin National Stud

In 1665 Le Pin National Stud was the sole provider of cavalry horses in the Royal Army. Napolian restructured the studs in 1806 and were modernized in the 1900's.

In 1999 the Studs were put under the Ministry of Agriculture and in the past three years the Studs have become The French Horse and the Riding Institute focused on education and training. Breeding of studs was given to the private industry since it is a profitable section of the industry. Le Pin sits on over 2,000 acres, houses ten stallions, and 17 broodmares.
Only place in France where people can go to learn how to artificially inseminate horses. Along with a one year AI training people can attend a one week carriage school, one year saddlery school, one year farrier school and, two day training for horse owners to learn emergency re-shoeing techniques.

Le Quesnay Thoroughbred Farm

Facility
One of the leading farms in France One of the only farms run solely off production profits 600 acres, main part is 250 acres, 30 employees, 1 veterinarian 250 horses 60 foals between 10 days and 6 weeks old Main yard has 114 stalls (one of biggest in Europe)

Le Quesnay Thoroughbred Farm

History
Built in early 1900s by Vanderbilt, soon after sold to A Kingsley Macomber Abandoned and taken over by Germans in WWII, Abandoned on DDay 1945 Bought by Freddy and Alex Head in 1958, Head family all trainers and jockeys Castle was built in the 16th century

Le Quesnay Thoroughbred Farm

Stallions
7 Stallions
Mr Sidney, son of Storm Cat. 2.1 million earnings (until fetlock injury) Kentucky Dynamite, 1 million earnings. Owned by 3 people who are French, Ukranian, and Lebanese Dunkerque, 7 years old, bred and raised on farm, double group winner, his sire stood as leading stallion, his first crop sold this year Goldaway, 17 years old, retiring next year due to increased infertility (about 25% fertility rate now), owned by owners of Chanel, kept there to be used publicly, produced many winners

Farm only owns 2 of the 7 stallions Cover 70-100 mares each, At busiest, cover 3 times per day Mares coming in to breed can be boarded at farm, owners make appointments No proven stallions, so they dont charge over 10,000 , Usually 3,000-7,000

Le Quesnay Thoroughbred Farm

Foals
Sell 80% of foals produced Try to keep about 10 foals a year, mostly fillies to be broodmares Sold as yearlings at auction in Deauville Some yearlings sold in South France in Sept, Oct, a Few sold privately If not sold, foals are trained to put value on them 5 or 6 per year taken to English Market, but mostly want to keep lines in France If foal is born, raised and kept in France, they get 14% of its earnings
Find Pictures

Clairefontaine Racetrack in Deauville

The class stayed at this race track for the evening of 5/10/12 1864: important for organizing races 1924- started racetrack down town for flat races Began with a 40 stall operation, now 200 stalls are on these race grounds This track is specific because it welcomes trotters and thoroughbreds 1928: began flat races and steeple chases, trotters began racing on this track later Built new obstacles in steeple chase during the 1950s

Clairefontaine Racetrack in Deauville

The track is now set up in layers (ALL GRASS EXCEPT FOR SMALL INNER SAND RING) o Outermost layer is flat grass racetrack (thoroughbred)= 2,000 meters o 2nd layer is for steeple chases o 3rd layer is for trotters o Middle is for steeple chases o Ring in center of track is for The Ride: event that started in 2008 for the best dressage riders. Now this middle track is used for summer camps for young children

Clairefontaine Racetrack in Deauville

Closed for 10 years in 1939 for WWII Opened in 1949 The hall was being renovated when we arrived but many weddings and social events are hosted here Hold 19 meetings per year here Race season starts in July Jockeys are provided with a sauna and massage center for relaxation and weight loss Jockeys are fed in between races because they lose weight during the race Jockey outfit weighs 15-20g so the scale is set to 15g before the jockey stands on it Jockeys weigh themselves about 10 times per day Track has mirrors and cameras to show the horse crossing the finish line There are sticks on the track to show the jockeys how far they still have to go in the race Most of the famous races in France are on grass tracks Fiber is added to the track to help the track when it rains (only large amounts of rain effect track) This track is known for its beautiful array of flowers (over 40,000 during racing months!!!)

Dozule Equine Pathology Laboratory

A government-established equine-only laboratory in Lower Normandy broken into 3 units:
bacteriology and parasitology epidemiology and pathologic anatomy virology

Part of anses The French Agency for Food and Occupational Health Safety Provides two important functions to the equine community by: Determining cause of death in individual animals, and Creating a database of cases helpful for detecting emerging or prevalent diseases in the region

Dozule Equine Pathology Laboratory

Serves as both a French national and European Union reference for
Contagious equine metritis Dourine Equine Infectious Anemia Equine Viral Arteritis Equine Herpes Virus

As a reference, they are required to

Organize educational workshops about these diseases Provide standardized reagents Develop research activities relevant to these diseases

Also responsible for diseases important to the Lower Normandy region such as rhodococcus

Equestrian Complex-Deauville
Normandy Horse Council
Founded 15 years ago Main goal: To gather all the breeds of horses together and strengthen/look towards the same direction and future Central idea: Horses bring people together.
People come together through:
Breeders Assoc. National and regional horse councils Money Management

Nationally:
Invest about 40 million Euros Sponsor equine industry
Racing industry generates revenue and helps finance investments Investments also help rural employment
This is the heart of the industry Related to training drivers, farriers, etc. As seen at the school at the National stud

Council manages money regionally in Normandy

Money invested in things such as CIRALE Also invest in knowledge
Classes, trips, schooling, etc.

40% of horses are born in Normandy

Weather creates soft ground and a good growing environment

Employment is increasing due to better training

Would like to create a regional vet clinic for Normandy

Equestrian Complex-Deauville
The Complex
Located in Deauville
Heart of Europe Makes for an attractive are for international events

Objective: to develop Deauville economically, position Normandy internationally, and host large equine events. Built in 14 months 12 million Euros invested in it While the actual structure belongs to the city of Deauville, the management is completely private 16 shareholders including Deauville
They have 11 full time employees as well as 6 restaurant employees

3 Covered arenas
1 Olympic, 1 training area, 1 school arena Equipped with next generation grounds

3 Outdoor arenas 71 stalls

145 visitor stalls

It is the largest equine complex Employ several green environmental approaches

As part of the green effort they utilize water from an artificial pond that is filled by rain

Equestrian Complex-Deauville
Activities
National and international competitions Riding school Boarding Pony club Shows Restaurant About 80 days of the year 2015 European Championship

Competitions

It is the rear base of the French jumping team Hosts training courses taught by world renowned experts Would like to welcome more national and international teams
Already welcomed Japan

Organize non-equine shows and conferences as well They are currently adding an external area for a garden, cross-country trail, large paddocks, and parking. Services to boarded horses
1. Minimal- hay, food, upkeep 2. Minimal add taking out the horses 3. Everything including preparing the horse for your ride (600-800 euro a month)

Thoroughbred Training on the Bay of Mont Saint-Michel

Tides are normally out but come in every 12 hours. Very few or none trotting horses Can see Mont Saint-Michel from the bay 2400 meters of track Trainers live 2 km away and train horses here. Dont pay to use track but pay the person taking care of track for maintenance Been 60 years since the horses been training here. All Natural track and use tractor to groom the sand. Attending to save money and building training area to keep people together and make more money.

Thoroughbred Training on the Bay of Mont Saint-Michel

In 60 years many horses cantering on the bay. Famous horse won steeple chase here. European championship has been created for thoroughbreds. Horses here win the races so it means this is a good training center. Training in sand is trouble for articulations. All sand so no percussion on bones and makes the horses less stiff. Open for training every day and open to public 24/7. Not many improvements of track but making it larger by making it wider and longer. Have 200 horses. Water gets sucked down in sand and nothing really happens or stays solid. Weather doesnt affect track. Not much snow because of the ocean, wind and salt in air. Count an hour per group Training doesnt last more than 10 minutes. Warms and cools down the horses.

Thoroughbred Training on the Bay of Mont Saint-Michel

Riders check other riders to see what hand they are using so they take the same direction on the track and dont collide. Tractors groom track twice a day. Once at 6 am and once at 9 am. Horses trained here walk to get here. A concern from trainers is having these horses go on artificial track for too long. Only local trainers can have a beach house to have easier access to the track. Most riders are professionals but some are amateurs. Most horses here are steeple chase horses. Track isnt so good for flat horses. Speeds affected because of track. Training starts 6-6:30 am to 12 pm. Employees work mostly 4 hours a day. Threats to close the place because they think its harmful. The argument is plants that would naturally grow on the track get destroyed. During 60 years no need for authorization. Now thinking of it for support. Hopefully it will stop threats. Need authorization to use tractor. Have a field of 40 acres to build a track for training. Really scared they could close this place and this is used as a back up. If used draft horses to groom track it take a lot of people and money. Project worked on for 10 years for another track they start building in September.

Thoroughbred Training on the Bay of Mont Saint-Michel

Benefits Opportunities for horses to race Only local trainers but want ones from Paris. Its an economical project and wants to make employment. People jog here 20-100 horses using this track to train. If lose track only need to give back 1/3 of track. Agricultural industry is decreasing for employment. Hoping to maintain this to help industry. Equestrian games on this beach and on Mont Saint-Michel. Our tour guide was Mr. Datin. He was from a farm. He got into this business from horses on his farm. He worked with trotting places then thoroughbreds. He then trained for steeple chasing. Problems Trainers dont care how track is made but it has to be good. Trotters train along the beach not on the track.

Mont Saint Michel

Beginnings
According to the Catholic Religion- The archangel Michael sent numerous messages to St. Aubert (the bishop of Avranches) and instructed him to build this oratory on the rocky inlet The angel Michael appeared to the bishop 3 different times to instruct him but St. Auburt would not listen. On the third return, the angel struck St. Auburts head with a small burn to make him believe what he said needed to be done; Originally named Mont Tomb by St. Aubert who constructed it; The original tomb was built in 708 and was actually dedicated to St. Michael on October 16th, 708 The whole island has been an important pilgrimage center for various monks ever since the first message that was stated by St. Michel Build here and build high, if you build itthey will come.

Mont Saint Michel

The Monastery
Originally under Auburt control when it was first erected; In 966, Richard I of Normandy took over and gave rule to a group of Benedictine Monks who changed some ideas/ ways of prayer and worship When the buildings were constructed, Mont Saint Michel was an important place for worshipers and other monks to travel to learn more about certain aspects of their religion, God, etc. Many churches and buildings make up the inlet today, mass construction by different groups of people throughout history led it to become the castle like area it looks like today The island is now home to around 50 monks who still worship regularly

Mont Saint Michel

History Mont Saint-Michel is a rocky tidal island and a commune in Normandy, France. It is located off the country's northwestern coast, at the mouth of the Couesnon. The island has been a strategic point holding fortifications since ancient times, and since the 8th century AD. The Mont-Saint-Michel and its bay are part of the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites, and more than 3,000,000 people visit it each year.

Mont Saint Michel

Architecture William de Volpiano designed the Romanesque church of the abbey, daringly placing the transept crossing at the top of the mount. Many underground crypts and chapels had to be built to compensate for this weight; these formed the basis for the supportive upward structure that can be seen today The structural composition of the town exemplifies the feudal society that constructed it. On top God, the church and monastery, below this the Great halls, then stores and housing, and at the bottom, outside the walls fishermen and farmers housing.

Grand National de Dressage Auvers Auvers hosts only one dressage competition per
year the Grand National de Dressage 3rd largest sand arena in France Auvers show grounds hosts 50-60 events per year between February and September The infrastructure is designed for jumping competitions but easily accommodates this dressage competition Among many notable competitions, Auvers also hosts the French Championship of Amateur Jumping

Grand National de Dressage Auvers includes levels up to Grand Prix Prix St. Georges, Intermediare, and Grand Prix dressage competitions are governed by the FEI and therefore follow the same rules as competitions in the United States

D-Day Beaches
Utah and Omaha Beaches, the site of the American troops' deployment at Normandy on D-Day, have memorials to the soldiers' sacrifice. Omaha Beach was the site of the most devastating losses to the Allied troops that day, and so we have a large cemetery of rows of white crosses (and Stars of David) which is part of the memorial and museum there. We saw many French tributes to the soldiers, and many monuments giving thanks to those such as the soldier whose parachute stuck on the church (picture included). The memorials were full of interesting information about D-Day (in my presentation), and we saw some of the concrete fortification and bunkers embedded into the landscape that the German soldiers used for self-defense. The museums contained many artifacts, photographs, and videos of WWII and the invasion of Normandy.

Grainges Horse Racing School

The only school in France thats dedicated solely to horse racing, 100% Schooling for teens 14-19 years old that want a career in the horse racing industry Boarding school for both boys and girls (separate dormitories), living there helps prepare routines and schedules of future work force
Waking up early, completing barn chores,

Study general subjects as well as equine specific courses (ex. Biology, hippology) Receive diplomas and certificates certified by Ministry of Agriculture First 2 years of school students have regular classes and gain experience from the on-site horse barns

Grainges Horse Racing School

Additional years at the school students chose CAPA or BAC PRO programs:
CPA lasts 2 years with the goal for careers in horse racing stables (work with trainer or as jockey/driver). Half of the school year students spend in work placement (alternating 3 weeks at school, 3 weeks at work) BAC PRO last 3 years for students that want to manage or own their own companies, or become trainers. The school provides start-up grants along with diplomas

Training jockeys/drivers, stable hands, barn managers, horse transportation, trainers, and also have courses for farriers/blacksmiths The school finds jobs for the students and makes arrangements for their placement Some horses are donated to the school Our class got to ride along with instructors or students on the sulky carts
The horse I got to drive was the fastest trotter of the 3, it had won over 300,000

5/14/12

Saint-L National Stud

Watched jumping competitions before lunch Originally built in 1806 Largest of the 23 national stud farms The original sections of the farm were in the city, but were destroyed in WWII. The current section was built when extra space was needed, and it now contains the entirety of the stud.

Saint-L National Stud

8 total stables: 1. Horses provided to the stud to care for private breeders that board their horses 2. In winter, houses studs for semen collection (typically these studs are in competition during the summer, so they cant be collected during the showing season). In summer, stable houses mares. 3. Technical center (contains lab and breeding shed). National horses are spread among the technical centers in the summer. 4. Boarded stallions 5. Museum 6. Storage 7, 8. Private/professional riders, pay to use facilities

Saint-L National Stud

Breeding promotion: Website available for breeders to order semen. Stallion is collected in the morning and the semen is delivered directly. In winter, semen from stallions that show during the summer is frozen and stored. For shipment, analyses of the semen are required. 35 euros for 8 straws The collector has warm water that helps minimize sperm damage

Le Prairie Hippodrome

One of the longest tracks in France at 2KM as compared to majority being 1.4KM. Specialized in French Trotters, both riding and driving. Most known for all of the qualifying race opportunities that are held at the track In this process horses that are 3-4 yrs. old will need to qualify with a time at or below 1:20min to then be eligible for stakes races. This time depends on age of horses. Last year (2011) there were over 6,000 horses that came to attempt at qualifying Approximately half of these attempts were successful Some race-track rules we learned included: trotters are allowed 10 strides at the canter but anymore will result in disqualification. Horses may try as many times as they need to qualify This race track is popular enough that people from all over come to it to qualify. Including outside of France such as Italians, Germans, etc.

Hippodrome
Paris Track (Parisian) Up to 1983 they had 17 races in August only No the track is open all year, for training for up to 300 horses. There is now a winter season, run on the dirt track since 2004, this increased number of races to 45. Balance between winter and summer races. Turf track is 2002m Also a straight line (turf) for Group 1 races, 1600m 2200m sand/dirt track (all weather) 2300m drain system 1 turf track for training, 3 sand tracks for training In August the track is shared with the polo club on one weekend Polo cant interfere with Race and vice versa. In France prestigious races are run on turf/grass All weather tracks/dirt/sand, are for low category races, however people seem to be changing their mind about the dirt tracks in France. In France people are starting to see horses that are grass runners or turf runners. Grass tracks are sometimes too heavy or too light. It is getter harder to make people happy with grass tracks because of this. If they are too light/dry then they refuse to run Oldest clubhouse in France, shaped like an upside down boot. Horses and people may stay the whole month of August. Only flat racing and steeplechase

Comments From Students

I really enjoyed this trip and was so happy Penn State provided it in time for me to attend right as I graduated. I learned so much about the horse industry in France while I was there, and I've used a surprising amount of that information already this summer. I know I'll continue to integrate this knowledge when I begin vet school next month. The trip surpassed my expectations. Going to Normandy and all of the other places we got to visit was an incredible opportunity and an awesome learning experience. I would definitely go on another study abroad trip like the on to Normandy, but I would chose to go to a different country. I really enjoyed the experience of this trip being my first plane ride and my first real trip out of the country. I didnt know much about the horse industry and this trip gave me a lot that I can apply to be a better leader in a club that Im in. As far as the class/abroad experience...one word for me would be amazing. Through taking this class I was truly able to learn a lot about our equine industry here in the U.S. and even more about France. What we were able to experience and see went from breath-taking, to facinating, and was very interesting. Being able to go on this short trip allowed me not only to experience going abroad, which I had never done before, but learn more about the equine industry that I am extremely passionate about and a new culture. I can only hope that I can travel to more new places in the future and would definately be on the list if another opportunity arises while I'm at Penn State. I would without a doubt recommend this experience to anyone who asks, not only did I learn and see so much but I also met new people from right at home and from France that I now can talk to that I never would have before.

Comments From Students

As my first international experience, our trip to Normandy exceeded all of my expectations. I could never imagine how many once in a lifetime experiences we would be afforded. The Normandy Equine Council put together an outstanding agenda and showed us a broad range of their equine industry. I think that this class should be scheduled at Penn State for as long as the Equine Council will allow us to come back. I believe that there would also be significant interest for similar programs in other countries. As far as thoughts on the trip... Let's just say it is actually difficult to look back through all of my things from tours and visits, because I want to go back so badly. I am very interested in the equine industry there, and I liked what we saw of the industry's organization and goals. Also, I felt pretty comfortable throughout the trip - Judith was great, and our group got along and could have fun, learn, and relax together. I don't know if this would be possible or not, but at one of the national studs, it might have been interesting to see more behind-the-scenes. For the racetracks, it would be cool to attend a race and then visit the track vet to compare protocol to that of the U.S. I thought all of our housing and transportation was great, and traveling through the beautiful country was great. I loved everything, basically. The class should definitely be kept for upcoming years.

Credits
Pole-international-cheval.com Dr. Fivek and Dr. Swinker Ansci 499A spring 2012 students