After converting the vineyard to organic farming and making our practices biodynamic, we want to push the project even further, to return to a more serene and healthier agriculture, in tune with our vineyard.
We want to have a responsible impact on the environment. The use of horses helps to avoid soil compaction, encourage biodiversity and reduce CO2 emissions.

Training in equine traction
Training in equine traction takes place in two stages:

An initial 4-day immersion with the aim of
"Discovery and initiation" :

-Harnessing and tools used in viticulture (use, settings)
-Leading a horse at work
-Learn how to work in the middle of the row
-Understanding the economic aspect of the profession

A second training course aimed at
"Draft horse management" :

-Safety rules for leading a horse
-Preparing your work site, optimizing your movements
Mastering mid-row and under-row work
-Identify the costs associated with the activity and prepare your career plan
-Complementarity of horse and tractor

• Finding a meadow
  The meadow is the perfect distance between our home and the estate. It was important for us to be close to our future horse so that we could intervene quickly in the event of a problem, but also so that we didn't lose too much time when we needed to intervene in our paddocks.
  We made a list of all the meadows in a nearby geographical area, and then went to tell the various owners about our project, and they agreed to make their meadows available to us. To date, we have just over 3 hectares, perfect for a draught horse and a pony, which we will be able to divide in two so as to always have grass available.

• Meeting the horse's needs
  The Percheron is a hardy and very resistant breed, so it will have shelter, but not a closed stall. Moreover, we have natural shelters in the meadows (mini forest).
  Even when he's not working, it's important to spend time with him, to create a working relationship, but above all to make our future horse an integral part of our family. When the tilling season is calmer, we can enjoy a walk in the forest. A draught horse at Cheval des Vignes works between 600 and 700 hours a year. On the estate, it will only work 350 hours. So we need to make sure that he's working hard enough to avoid losing muscle, and that it's not too difficult for him to get back into the swing of things each year. Once Jupiter, our horse, is at the estate, we can continue to count on the presence of Cheval des Vignes. Indeed, they pay great attention to the placement of their horses and to their well-being.

The aim of this campaign is to finance the arrival of a draught horse so that we can work our soils ourselves.
The funds raised will finance :

• Our training to learn how to work with great care with our horse and take care of him on a daily basis: 5000 €
  
• The purchase of the horse: 10 000 €.
  
• All traction equipment, the acquisition and maintenance of meadows, and a van to transport him: 5000 €
  

We invite you to continue supporting our project by making a contribution in the form of a wine refund.