"...when the last individual of a race of living things breathes no more, another Heaven and another Earth must pass before such a one can be again."
-William Beebe

Poitou Ass

The Poitou ass is an ancient French breed valued for the production of mules. The breed was developed in the Poitou region of western France, where mule breeding has been documented for over one thousand years. Standardization of the Poitou breed occurred by about 1700, and the modern studbook was established in 1884. In France the breed is referred to as Baudet du Poitou, as baudet means "sire of mules," distinct from the term ane for common donkey.

The French mule breeding industry was a highly developed and lucrative enterprise. Poitou jacks were bred to mares of a specific horse breed – the Mulassier (or Poitevin) – to produce mules for both riding and work. While mules were promoted across Europe, breeding stock was closely held in the Poitou region. The breed nearly became extinct after World War II, when the demand for mules collapsed. The Poitou’s limited geographic area increased its vulnerability. Fewer than 80 Poitous survived in 1980.

In the late 20th century several organizations in France organized to protect the breed from extinction. The Parc Naturel Regional du Marais Poitevin has made conservation of the Poitou and the Mulassier (Poitevin) a part of its mission to protect the domestic heritage as well as the wild environment. La Sabaud, a network of breeders, exists to promote the breed and raise funds for its conservation. La Sabaud support the efforts at the Asinerie Nationale Experimentale, an experimental farm that breeds Poitous in conjunction with the Parc. L’Association des Eleveurs des races Equine, Mulassiere et Asine, Baudet du Poitou is the registry organization.

The conservation efforts have gotten results. The breed has increased in numbers and in 2005, 450 pure Poitous were registered in the studbook. A challenge facing the breed is to continue to inventory and document the asses claimed to be Poitous but may be of mixed heritage. Poitous have the conformation and strength typical of mule breeding asses everywhere. They are tall, standing 14–15 hands (56–60") high at the withers and weighing 750–950 pounds. Their heads are large and long, with long ears, and their bodies are muscular with heavy bone. The feet should be large. The most striking feature of the breed is its long hair, which may hang in cords from the entire body.

Poitous are found in black or dark brown, without a dorsal stripe. Other colors are not accepted.

Status: See CPL

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