PREPARATORY ACTION EU plant and animal genetic resources in agriculture Compendium of projects LUXEM BOURG Giving a future to the breed of Ardennes draught horses by increasing the demand for horsepower work The publication is part of the study “Preparatory action on EU plant and animal genetic resources in agriculture”. The Preparatory Action has been initiated by the European Parliament and financed by the European Commission. The objectives of the Preparatory action are to better understand the stakes of European neglected genetic resources in agriculture and to tap onto their economic potential. It aims to provide inspiring examples of how to make the conservation of neglected breeds and varieties economically viable and encourage farmers and other stakeholders to engage. Funded by the European Union Legal notice The information and views set out in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official opinion of the European Commission. The Commission does not guarantee the accuracy of the data included in this publication. Neither the Commission nor any person acting on the Commission's behalf may be held responsible 1 Introduction In the Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg, there remains only a very marginal working use for Ardennes draught horses, primarily for forest and leisure work. Today, the breed is mainly used for meat, due to its extensive musculature. Nowadays, in comparison to highly modern king- size machines and from a point of view of pure working performances, they are the losers. But In comparison to machines, the use of workhorses entails many positive consequences in dealing with natural resources. Their nimble and cautious action preserves fauna and flora. Another advantage is their ability to work in rough, hilly terrain. In consideration of social aspects, draught horses are outclassing machines. The ambition of the Department of the Environment of the Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg is an intelligent sharing of workhorse use on the one side and the employment of modern machines on the other side. 2 Description of the genetic resource The Ardennes or Ardennais is one of the oldest breeds of draft horses, and originates from the Ardennes area in Belgium, Luxembourg and France. They are heavy-boned with thick legs and are used for draft work. The Ardennes is found in many colours, although black horses are very rare and are not allowed to be registered with the breed registry. Their history reaches back to Ancient Rome, and throughout the years blood from several other breeds has been added to the Ardennes, although only the Belgian breed had any significant impact. The first Ardennes were imported to the United States in the early 20th century, and the first breed registry was established in Europe in 1929. The horses have been used throughout history as war horses, both as cavalry mounts and to draw artillery, and are used today mainly for heavy draft and farm work, meat production and competitive driving events. They have also been used to influence or create several other horse breeds throughout Europe and Asia. Page 2 3 Objectives of the project The main objectives of the project are to: Develop the use of Ardennes draught horses for works on farms, in forests, in vineyards, in natural reserves, in the leisure industry and for communal purposes. Create awareness and increase knowledge of the benefits entailed by workhorse power. Induce collaborative work between wood processing companies and horse-guides working in the forest. Induce a countrywide organization to reduce transport routes and as a consequence improve the CO2-balance. Target the social benefits by bringing together local / foreign people. Improve the touristic appeal of rural areas. Preserve the Ardennes breed and local biodiversity. 4 Actors involved and roles The "Domaine touristique du cheval de trait ardennais – Robbesscheier" of Munshausen, in the Clervaux Commune, promotes the Ardennes' draft horse in all aspects of daily life, be that environmental protection, communal services, agriculture or logging. The Tourist Center depicts the many possibilities available for the horse in modern life through case studies and the use of rare tools and implements. The modern horse’s viability as a practical animal is demonstrated by feasibility studies that showcase the horse’s effectiveness not only on costs but on ecological optimisation methods as well. The "Domaine touristique du cheval de trait ardennais – Robbesscheier" of Munshausen seeks to promote the viability of the great work horse within modern implementation and standard working methods, with the ultimate goal of showing a wider public the enormous benefits associated with horse related environmental work. The other actors are: Foreign center of competence; GD of Luxembourg’s Department of the Environment Technical and Agricultural High School in Ettelbruck Page 3 5 Steps and activities undertaken Since 28 years, the nature center Robbesscheier has progressively used Ardennes workhorses for leisure work (demonstrations, carriage rides, children’s animation), for schooling purposes (knowledge about horses, horsecare, horse-guide training) and for forest work, mainly in the public domain. Today, Robbescheier owns 13 Ardennes workhorses. In collaboration with the Technical and Agricultural High School in Ettelbruck, school courses have been set up and students run their practical trainings at Robbesscheier. An INTERREG-project IV A "GRANDE REGION" 2007-2013 was run under the project name "Le cheval de trait au service de la gestion forestière et rurale durable". The objectif of building up a longterm competence center for the GD of Luxembourg was not achieved for financial reasons. 6 Results to date As already mentionned under point 5, different activities have been and are still undertaken. But the 2 objectives of implementing a longterm and high level workhorse competence center on the one side and of creating a substantial demand for workhorse use, in public and privat domaine, have still to be realized The Robbesscheier welcomes about 23.000 visitors (school classes, families, students, tourists, companies) per year. School courses and practical trainings are regularly organized in collaboration with the Technical and Agricultural High School in Ettelbruck. Several municipalities engage the Robbescheier to work with horsepower in their forests, mainly in hilly and rough terrain. The nature center Robbesscheier employs today 4 horse-guides, one of them holding all the qualifications to deliver diploma. Page 4 7 Next steps The next step will be the development of a high level competence center, in collaboration with an internationally recognized workhorse center (still to be defined) and with the Department of the Environment as a partner. All the horse-guides of the nature center Robbesscheier will be sent in foreign workhorse centers to acquire recognized certifications in horse- guiding and to learn from other working habits. Aimed and subsidised horsepower actions will be run in public and private domain (municipalities, schools, touristic centers, private forest owners,…), with the aim of informing about workhorsepower benefits and to induce a demand for using Ardennes draft horses. An appraisal of the current use of workhorses has to be done countrywide. Modern draught horse equipment and machines without engine power have to be purchased. A rent service for horses, horse equipment and machines will be set up, especially to assist startups and young companys. A virtual information platform will be developped to bring together the demand and the offer in workhorse services. 8 Lesson learned and good practices Today, the use of workhorses is doomed to a shadowy existence, mainly due to economical considerations. If the use of Ardennes workhorses and as a consequence their survival should be assured on a long term basis, other aspects of using horsepower have to be pointed out. In comparison to engine powered machines, workhorses have irrefutable advantages on several levels: Social exchange Nature conservation and responsible handling of natural resources Biodiversity and landscape Appeal of rural areas and quality of life 9 Participation to other projects and to networks/ funding The nature center Robbesscheier is currently partner in the INTERREG-project V A "GRANDE REGION" 2014-2020 "DEFI-Laine”, aiming the local production and processing of wool. The main objectif of this project is a restoring of local economical circuits and the development of new and modern wool products. Several objectifs are clearly congruent with those mentionned herein. Page 5 Contact of the responsible of the project: Robbesscheier 1, Frummeschgaass L-9766 Munshausen GD of Luxembourg Contact: Jean Zeches Tel: +352 92 17 45 55. Mobile : +352 621 32 77 09 [email protected] Page 6 .