National Stud Farm of Chaouchaoua

National Stud Farm of Chaouchaoua
The National Stud Farm of Chaouchaoua is an institution dedicated to the preservation and improvement of Algerian horse breeds, founded in 1874. It is now a center of expertise for issues related to breeding and care of equines.
History
The National Stud Farm of Chaouchaoua was established in 1874 by the French Ministry of War, originally named Its original mission was to supply the French army with horses. In the early 20th century, it bred up to 22,000 foals per year, including military mounts (Barb, Arabian, and Arab-Barb breeds) as well as working horses for agriculture.
Following Algeria's independence in 1962, Chaouchaoua became an Algerian national stud farm. Mechanization significantly reduced its activities and the number of horses housed, which dropped to 208 (including half of them being purebred Arabians) by the end of 2018.
In 2022, the Chaouchaoua stud farm signed a partnership to acquire 190 sheep of the Rambi breed, a local breed, with a target of reaching 800 heads by 2025 for the commercialization of their meat and milk. Additionally, they obtained 10 cows, aiming to have a herd of 70 heads within 3 years.
Today, the Chaouchaoua stud farm spans 610 hectares, while it was over 1,200 hectares in the early 2000s. It is currently under construction, with approximately 65% of the work completed, and has numerous ongoing projects. As of 2023, the national stud farm employs 56 staff members.
Activities
The National Stud Farm of Chaouchaoua is not subsidized by the government and has to generate its own resources, primarily through the cultivation and sale of fodder and cereals, to ensure its operation.
Agricultural Production
The 371 hectares of land at the stud farm contribute to agricultural production, which accounted for 60% of its financial income in 2018. However, the agricultural area has been significantly reduced, and the effects of climate change have negatively impacted cereal production, resulting in a reduction in volume of approximately 60%.
Horse Training
The stud farm provides the opportunity to train young horses for harness and saddle work. It also prepares and presents young stallions for breeding competitions. The training is tailored to the needs of each horse, focusing on solid and respectful learning.
Some of the trained horses are integrated into the Republican Guard at the Soumaa Police School.
Others are exported annually to several countries, including Germany, France, Italy, Switzerland, and even Brazil.
Human Training:
The National Stud Farm of Chaouchaoua offers continuing education courses, particularly in the fields of veterinary medicine, horse breeding, horse care, nutrition, harnessing, and farriery.
As a public institution, it is committed to the training of young individuals by offering apprenticeships and internships.
Applied Research
The stud farm is actively involved in applied research, particularly in studies aimed at improving horse behavior, health, and fertility. Research topics include genetics, infectious and hereditary diseases, animal husbandry, and the enhancement of natural methods of reproduction and fertilization, as well as techniques such as artificial insemination and embryo transfer. The stud farm's research activities are conducted in collaboration with a network of partners, including veterinary faculties, universities, and equine breeding organizations. The research findings are first applied in practice at the National Stud Farm and then disseminated through publications and various courses.
Breeding Center
The breeding center at the National Stud Farm of Chaouchaoua conducts extensive research in the field of horse fertility. It develops and applies the results of research in practical settings, offering numerous services to mare and stallion owners, particularly in the area of fertility.
International Diplomacy
In 1975, Ouassal (1969 - January 1, 1991), a Barb stallion, was gifted to French President Valéry Giscard d'Estaing by his Algerian counterpart, Houari Boumédiène. This marked the first official visit by a head of state from the former colonial empire to Algeria since its independence.
After his state visit to Algeria in March 2003, Jacques Chirac received a gift from his Algerian counterpart, Abdelaziz Bouteflika - a white Arabian-Barb stallion named Mabrouk, born in 1994.
On December 5, 2007, the stud farm presented Kheir, a gray Arabian thoroughbred, to French President Nicolas Sarkozy after his visit to Algiers.
In addition, a pair of Barb horses, Sami (dark gray) and Sadja (bay), were gifted to French President François Hollande on December 20, 2012, following his visit to Algeria.
Ouassal
The Barb breed was no longer recognized in France after 1962, at the end of the Algerian War and the dissolution of the last Spahi regiments. However, in 1990, the breed was re-recognized for the stallion Ouassal, who was not young anymore at twenty-two years old but was finally allowed to breed mares legitimately. Unfortunately, on January 1, 1991, during his third mating, his heart suddenly stopped. Despite this event, Ouassal fathered 37 offspring.
Mabrouk
This stallion was deemed unworthy of representing the pure Barb breed by the French zootechnicians to whom he was entrusted, and he was reclassified as "Arabian-Barb." Mabrouk has no offspring to date.
Kheir
Sami and Sadja
Upon their arrival in France, the couple was separated, with the male (Sami) being entrusted to the Haras du Pin, where breeding is no longer practiced, and the female (Sadja) being sent to the Pompadour Stud Farm, where the government has stopped breeding foals. However, in 2016, a filly named Gemme Pompadour was born from their union. Both Sami and Sadja were used for breeding from 2015 to 2016. Nevertheless, on May 18, 2017, another filly named Hiba was born from Sami mating with another mare. After this episode, although the former president was not a horseman, he was aware of Sami's high genetic quality. As a result, he agreed to allow ten breedings per year to be granted to the national association of the Barb breed, which manages all the breeding activities. Sami shares a neighboring stall with Mabrouk.
References
1877 establishments
Horse farms in Algeria