THE DONKEYS at the BALAD'ÂNE farm

The donkeys in the valley formerly....

Still present in the mountain valleys for the past generations, donkeys were doing all the work of everyday life of the small farmer, ploughing the fields, carrying the crops, transporting the wood and the manure. They were also going along with the shepherds to the pastoral villages in the summer pastures for keeping the flocks.
The donkey with its rustic, sober and calm character was the poor's horse and was settling for a little hay and seeds.
Virtually disappeared with the desertification of the ariegian valleys after war, the donkeys are back in the valley for almost twenty years to discover the Massat Country to hikers. By grazing their 30 hectares of pastures in the valley, they clean, help to maintain the landscape opening and keep the elders company, who like to see the animals.

......Until today

We are a great family, 26 Long Ears and 3 Little Ears, our donkey-drivers. Suzy and Éric like the "blacks from Pyrenees" and princess Alice prefers clearly the "white-grey", but the important thing is that we are good hikers, sure-footed in the mountain, and good friends with the children.
In summer we work a lot; we guide families in our mountains and carry their children to offer them a better view of the magnificent scenery.
Out of season, apart from some rambles to the Goutets pastures, we graze in the mountain fields, rich in flowers, we keep ourself busy with our life in the herd and have a close eye on what is happening in our valley.
In the month of september some of us have the luck to set off on an adventure with the THREE little ears in search of other remote mountains.
In winter we eat hay in a stable with free entry and exit, the little ears also give us delicacies to strengthen our health.
They have too built a new CASTLE for us, where we live since winter 2015!!
 

Our Training

Since a very young age we are in touch with our donkey-drivers, we follow our mum and the herd when changing fields in the valley. We learn to know our name, to be nice, to pass water, not to be afraid with unknown obstacles.
At the age of 3-4 years, the holidays are over, the serious training begins!
After some personal lessons from our drivers, we go hiking for our first season, always in the company of an experienced buddy.
The second year, when we are reassured and familiar with the children, we are able to leave alone and to guide families for finding their way.
 

Sale of our Donkeys

We advise you with your donkey choice. Depending on the required use, we suggest to you donkeys adapted in age and knowledge for trekking, gardening or accompanying childrens.
We offer an introductory course and you can also try your future donkey with a several days trek.
Our donkeys are identified, chipped, dewormed, prepared and healthy.




 

Activities with donkeys

The cart drives

In summer, every thursday and sunday mornings, we escort you in cart to the Massat marketplace.

You may also use this means of transport for special events such as weddings, jubilees, or birthdays.

The packsaddle transport

The donkey carries different materials (wood, sand, hay…) and supplies for the mountain bivouacs.

Animal pulling

Technical day with Prommata, Promotion for Modern Agricultural Machinism with Animal Traction.

PROMMATA
La Gare
09420 Rimont
Tél : 05 61 96 36 60
Fax : 05 61 66 99 58

Holidays at  Balad'âne's Farm

Accomodation in Yurt , Tipis and Guestroom with Table d'hôte

You can also camp on the campsite terraces
 

"The comfort of parents and dreams of children...."


Our Yurt and Tipis are equipped with a wooden floor, a double bed and camp beds for 4-6 persons.
The rustic and comfortable room under the old chestnut tree, exclusively restored with ecological matérials, is furnished with a double bed and bunk beds for children.
The shared bathroom is close and offers you a beautiful view of the garden and the mountain.
With respect for the environment we installed composting toilet.
A little further you can camp in peace and quiet on the two campsite terraces of our farm.

You can rent the Yurt, the Tipis and the guestroom for a night, a weekend or more...

The Table d'hôte of the Baladane's Farm

Evening meals are taken together around a large table and are prepared on our farm.
If you want to eat lunch, we prepare for you a picnic, that you can take through the ramble with the donkeys.
We offer you a healthy, balanced diet rich in taste.
Our meals are prepared with love, fruits and garden vegetables
cultivated with respect for the environment, completed with quality products from our area, cheese, meat, products from the organic shop and other local specialities.
You can as well purchase some products from our production: Natural apple juice, jams, wicker baskets, cosmetic products....
 

Rates for board and lodging:

Provide for sleeping bags, camping mattress for autonomous trips, a good pair of shoes, equipments for rain and sun, hot clothes, lamps...

Thank you for respecting the mountain

Special Groups Ramble

From the simple Picnic Walk to the Bivouac Trek...

You can have at your disposal a donkey-driver and organised bivouacs - do not hesitate to contact us.

• Holidays, schools, teens...
• Meditation, yoga, astrology...
• Associations
• Works councils

We take care of everything!

Stay in peace and quiet, escape to a magnificent mountain spot, dedicate yourself entirely to the theme of your trip out in the country.

We provide the transportation of your luggage with the donkeys, organise the bivouac and prepare your meals worked up with local and tasty products.

Choose your stay among our Treks!

Contact us for your personalised quote and any other information.

The Prices

You will find the rates for renting the Yurt and the Tipis
as well as for the half board and full board on the page
Yurt and Tipi Guestroom.
 

Prices for donkey hire:

Our friends the donkeys, most of them from pyrenean breed, were born at the Baladane farm. Trained and cuddled from birth, of kind and determined character, easy to guide, the donkeys will accompany you throughout your walk and will carry with pleasure your children and your luggage.

A donkey does not go fast, 3 to 4 kilometers by hour. It carries the luggage of 2-3 persons at the most, that does not exceed 40 Kg.

The donkeys are equipped with a packsaddle, waterproofed saddlebags, an halter and a lunge. 
For the donkey-treks of several days, we supply all the material necessary for the donkeys: fence, material of grooming, anti-fly...