Provence Donkey
{{Short description|Breed of donkey}}
{{infobox donkey
| name = Provence Donkey
| image = Âne de Provence à l'Adrech d'Entrepierres.jpg
| image_caption =
| image_size =
| image_alt =
| status = {{unbulleted list|FAO (2007): no data{{r|barb}}|{{nowrap|SAVE (2008): endangered{{r|mon|p=26}}}}}}
| altname = {{unbulleted list|Âne d'Arles|Âne de berger|Âne de la Crau|Âne de Savoie|Âne de transhumance|Âne gris de Provence{{r|mon}}|Âne des Croisés|Âne des Saintes{{r|farissier|p=79}}}}
| country = France
| distribution = {{unbulleted list|Provence|Rhône-Alpes}}
| standard = [http://www.haras-nationaux.fr/fileadmin/bibliotheque/Reglementation/Stud-books/Anes/Reglement-Ane_de_Provence-26-11-2013.pdf Ministère de l'Agriculture]
| use =
| maleweight =
| femaleweight =
| maleheight = {{cvt|1.20|–|1.35|m|in|abbr=on|0}}{{r|standard}}
| femaleheight = {{cvt|1.17|–|1.30|m|in|abbr=on|0}}{{r|standard}}
| coat = dove-grey with pink lights{{r|ane}}
| note =
}}
The Provence Donkey or {{langx|fr|Âne de Provence|italic=no}} is a breed of domestic donkey from Provence, in south-eastern France. It is now distributed through much of central and south-east France, with the highest concentration in Provence and the Rhône-Alpes region.{{r|haras}} For hundreds of years the Provence donkey was used by transhumant shepherds of the area as a pack animal in the seasonal movement of flocks of sheep between their summer pastures on the high Alps of Haute-Provence and the Dauphiné and their winter grounds in Basse-Provence.{{r|bataille|p=264}}
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.{{r|ane|bataille|p2=263}} 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.{{r|bataille|p=264}}
Following the mechanisation of transport in the twentieth century, first by rail and then by road, breed numbers declined at an alarming rate. At the end of the nineteenth century, a census in the départements of Provence recorded {{val|13,000}} head; in 1956 the number had fallen to around {{val|2000}}, and by 1993 no more than 330 could be identified.{{r|haras}}
A breeders' association, the {{lang|fr|i=no|Association de l'Âne de Provence}}, was formed in December 1992,{{r|liz|p=141}} and worked with the Haras National ('national stud') of Uzès, in Languedoc-Roussillon, to achieve recognition of the breed. A stud-book was opened in December 1995,{{r|ane2}} 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.{{r|arrete}} A total population of {{val|1630}} head is reported for 2021; in 2025 the conservation status of the breed was listed as "at risk/endangered".{{r|dad}}
Characteristics
At three years old, jacks stand approximately {{val|1.20|–|1.35|u=m}} at the withers, and jennies some {{val|1.17|–|1.30|u=m}}.{{r|standard}}
The coat is dove grey, varying from pale to dark, with pinkish lights. The muzzle and surround of the eyes are pale; the forehead and ears usually have a russet tint. There is a well-marked darker dorsal stripe and shoulder-stripe – the {{lang|fr|croix de St. André}}; zebra-striping of the legs may be present. The limbs are solid and the hooves relatively large.{{r|cabi|p=42|ane}}
Use
The donkeys are still used in transhumance by some shepherds.{{r|haras}} The Provence Donkey is suitable as a pack animal, for light driving and for riding. Its character and sure-footedness even on broken ground make it suitable for trekking. It may be used in vegetation management, for brush clearance to reduce fire risk.{{r|bataille|p=263}}
File:Ane de provence SDA2010.JPG
File:Ânes de Provence du Domaine de l'Aragon à Entrepierres.jpg|Colour variation
File:Ânes de Provence à Entrepierres.jpg|Dorsal stripe and cross
References
{{commonscat}}
{{reflist|45em|refs=
[http://www.haras-nationaux.fr/information/accueil-equipaedia/races-dequides/anes/ane-de-provence.html L'âne de Provence] (in French). Haras nationaux. Accessed July 2014.
}}
{{Donkey breeds of France}}
Category:Donkey breeds originating in France
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