The incomparable hardiness of the Camargue horse allows it to live all year round in half-freedom in marshes and enganes (salt meadows of salicornia). The foals are born in freedom between April and July in manades (herds) made up of several brood mares and a stallion. Aged one, the foals are separated from their mothers and iron branded by their owner. They are not captured by the gardians (herdsmen) until they are three years old to begin their training. In most manades, only the males are trained, the mares being bred for reproduction.