Unfortunately, man has also been responsible not only for the rise of the horse, but for the fall of several breeds as well. The Poitou donkey is one example of a breed nearly wiped out by human ignorance. Poitou Asses were used exclusively for mule-breeding in France, thus the jack donkeys were highly prized. Unfortunately, the entire breed as a whole was nearly sacrificed for this purpose. Jennets were starved during the last part of pregnancy in the believe that male foals would result. Jennets that did foal were weak and many died. The breeding of the Donkeys to make more donkeys suffered. The animals have long, shaggy coats, which were never groomed, allowing them to mat and grow heavy with old hair and filth. Underneath, poor conformation, and many skin problems hid. In 1977 only 44 of these purebreds were left in the world. Now, thanks to some serious re-breeding efforts, there are about 400 Poitous in the world. About 67 animals are in the USA at this time, about 45 who are pure-bred and the rest part-bred, with only 5 or 6 breeders of these animals actively conserving the breed.
Leah Patton owns a half-bred gelding, and ADMS is proud to house Thor at the Denton TX office. Most Poitous in America will never be allowed to develop the matted Cadanette of hair, but will have groomed, long shaggy coats, huge furry ears, and magnificent long falling manes and forelocks unlike other donkey and ass breeds.
FABBA – the Franco-American Baudet Breeder’s Association is the official liaison between the French Registry and the American Breeders. Only animals registered in France are allowed to be called Baudet du Poitous. Contact ADMS for more information.
The American Livestock Breeds Conservancy is a group dedicated to the conservation of rare breeds of livestock, including the Poitou, Cleveland Bay horse, belted cattle, pigs, goats, and poultry.
To find out more about donkeys, visit the ADMS Home Page . Below – Half-bred jennets and a purebred stud in the Poitou region of France.