From the Camargue origins to Mongolia
The 'Association pour le cheval de Przewalski: TAKH' was created at the initiative of Claudia Feh, equine ethologist with the support of Luc Hoffmann and his daughter Maja. This creation followed a study of Camargue horse behaviour carried out at Station Biologique de la Tour du Valat. Purpose of this study was notably to describe behaviour of horses not constrained any more by breeding practices. To do so, a large paddock was offered to individuals where they could express their natural instincts without human intervention.
Camargue horses in a typical Camargue marsh habitat
One of the main interests laid in the possibility for horses to organise themselves in long lasting family groups, possibility they did not have in regular breeding centres where male and female are separated most of the year.
Natural sequel of this work on free horses was to start a similar experience with a horse breed previously undomesticated: the Przewalski's horse. The Villaret site was therefore chosen to allow Przewalski's horse to form a herd made up of family groups. This initiative was very successful, horses adapted very well to the harsh conditions of this mountainous site of southern France. They reproduced so well that after a few years, a stock was available for reintroduction in the historical range of the species: central Asia and more specifically Mongolia. Przewalski's horse had disappeared from this country by 1966, since then it survived only in zoos. Two transports to this country took place in 2004 and 2005 to recreate a free and self sustaining population. This population is now in a phase of re-establishment.
From the work with Camargue and Villaret horses, TAKH inheritated a solid knowledge of behavioural processes. These processes have deep impacts on populations dynamic, TAKH's competences in ethology are therefore extremely useful in management of the reintroduced population. TAKH skills in ethology are now one of its most noticable specificities and are widely recognised.