In Camargue, learning of the gardian's (herdsman) profession traditionally happened through family transmission. The gardians' sons learned about the herds from their fathers and grandfathers. The trade subsequently attracted young people passionate about the equestrian world and the universe of bullfighting. Apprentice gardians were referred to as gardianouns. The coup de fer (iron blow), intended to subdue the natural aggressiveness of the young bulls by stopping their charge with a ficheiroun blow, was the main rite of passage to the status of gardian for the gardianoun.