Camargue horses were traditionally allowed to run free or half-free until they were four years old. Two-year-old colts, or doublen, were branded with the breeder's mark, and three-year-olds, called ternen, were castrated if not selected for breeding. These operations took place in the private setting of the courtyard of the mas on horses caught individually thanks to a noose and a rope that formed a noseband around their muzzle.