Société Française des Équidés de Travail (SFET)

What Société Française des Équidés de Travail (SFET) does

Société Française des Équidés de Travail (SFET) is a French association loi 1901 founded in 2012 and headquartered in Bordeaux, serving as the sole national parent organization for all French working equid breeds. It coordinates 22 official Selection Organizations (Organismes de Sélection) representing 9 heavy horse breeds, 9 territory horse and pony breeds, 8 donkey breeds, and 2 mule registries, with a network of approximately 10,000 breeders and users managing roughly 250,000 working equids (about 25% of France's total equid population). SFET runs the official Équidés & Excellence qualification circuits (including PEJET, the Équidés Cup, Qualifications Loisirs, and the Équi-Trait-Jeunes youth challenge) through 160 approved event organizers, and operates the Cupidon online genetic diversity management tool, co-developed with INET and integrated with the IFCE's SIRE genealogical platform, to calculate inbreeding and originality coefficients for breeding decisions.

The organization runs three national training schools — École Nationale des Ânes Maraîchers (ENAM, 2013, Saint-Savin), École Nationale du Cheval Vigneron (ENCV, 2019, Saint-Émilion/Saint-Savin), and École Nationale du Cheval Territorial (ENCT) — that deliver the Certificat d'Aptitude certifications for donkey market gardening, vineyard horse work, and territorial/municipal horse work respectively, and sell trained equids aged 3-6 to professional operators. SFET co-founded France Énergie Animale (2020) to promote animal energy at national scale and established INET (2021) as its research arm covering genetics, welfare, traction practices, and sector economics; the Labels Énergie Animale certification program administered by France Énergie Animale certifies welfare-compliant traction professionals. Since January 1, 2023, SFET has been authorized by the Ministry of Agriculture to issue the mandatory Certificat d'Engagement et de Connaissance for equid ownership, delivered through the Equiclasses.com platform co-built with the Fédération Nationale des Conseils des Chevaux and Société Hippique Française.

SFET generates revenue primarily through membership contributions from its 22 Selection Organizations, training and certification fees from its three national schools, fees from the official characterization circuits, and certification revenue from the Labels Énergie Animale program. The go-to-market is exclusively domestic (France), with no disclosed public pricing, no named enterprise customers, and no commercial revenue disclosure; distribution relies on direct relationships with breeder networks, the digital Équidés & Formation enrollment platform, and physical training school delivery.

Name

Société Française des Équidés de Travail (SFET)

Legal name

Société Française des Équidés de Travail

Website

https://sfet.fr

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

SFET is the French national federation coordinating 22 Selection Organizations, 10,000 breeders, and 250,000 working equids across 28 breeds, operating official qualification circuits, three national training schools, the Cupidon genetic management platform, and mandatory equid ownership certifications.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Equine Breed Federation and Professional Training

NAICS

Horses and Other Equine Production (112920), Veterinary Services (54194), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (611310), Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services (5416)

SIC

Agricultural Prod-Livestock & Animal Specialties (200), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Companion/Specialty Animal Breeding & Genetics Services (non-livestock) (AFAEAJAO)

akta.pro secondary industries

Reproduction, Breeding & Theriogenology (Large Animal/Equine) (HLAMABAG), Equine Veterinary, Welfare & Anti-Doping Services (MPAEADAJ)

Keywords

• Working equid federation
• Breed genetic management
• Professional equestrian training
• Animal traction services
• Equine qualification circuits

Headquarters

HQ city

Bordeaux

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees and Organizational Coordination: SFET serves as the parent organization for Selection Organizations (Organismes de Sélection) and coordinates the breed improvement, promotion, and conservation programs for French working equid breeds. Revenue derives from membership contributions and organizational fees from its network of 22 Selection Organizations and supported entities.
2. Training and Certification Services: SFET coordinates and supports three national schools (École Nationale des Ânes Maraîchers, École Nationale du Cheval Vigneron, École Nationale du Cheval Territorial) that deliver professional training programs, certifications, and equine specialization services. Revenue is generated through training fees, certifications (Certificat d'Aptitude), and equine sales.

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

SFET is the national parent organization for French working equid breeds, coordinating 22 Selection Organizations that manage breed preservation, genetic improvement, and stud-book records. It runs official qualification circuits (PEJET, Équidés Cup) to characterize and valorize equids, operates three national training schools (ENAM, ENCV, ENCT) for professional equine traction, and delivers the Cupidon genetic diversity management platform to its member organizations.

Product overview

SFET offers a comprehensive portfolio centered on working equid breeding, conservation, and professional training. The core offerings include Cupidon (genetic diversity management), Équidés & Excellence (qualification circuits including PEJET and Équidés Cup), and Équidés & Formation (training catalog). SFET operates three specialized schools (ENAM, ENCV, ENCT) that train equids and professionals in market gardening, viticulture, and territorial work, supported by INET research institute. France Énergie Animale provides professional labeling for traction animal services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Cupidon: Online genetic diversity management tool for Selection Organizations of working equids, developed by SFET and INET.
• ÉQUIDÉS & Excellence
• ÉQUIDÉS & Formation
• Excellence Connect

Products and services

• Cupidon Online genetic diversity management tool for Selection Organizations of working equids, enabling calculation of inbreeding coefficients, originality coefficients, and access to genealogical data for breeding recommendations.
• Équidés & Excellence (PEJET and Équidés Cup) Official SFET qualification and competition circuit that characterizes and valorizes working equids (horses, donkeys, mules, ponies) for breeders and professionals across France, with 160 approved event organizers.
• Équidés & Formation Online training platform cataloging training programs from SFET and FESTA for the three national schools (ENAM, ENCV, ENCT), enabling direct registration for professional training courses.
• École Nationale des Ânes Maraîchers (ENAM) Professional training school created in 2013 by SFET that trains donkeys aged 3-6 years for market gardening work and delivers the Certificat d'Aptitude Ânes Maraîchers to market gardeners.
• École Nationale du Cheval Vigneron (ENCV) Professional training school created in 2019 by SFET that trains horses aged 3-6 years for viticulture work and delivers the Certificat d'Aptitude Cheval Vigneron to winegrowers.
• École Nationale du Cheval Territorial (ENCT) National training school that trains horses for public service and municipal work, supporting communities in implementing equine traction for waste collection, green space maintenance, school transport, and urban services.
• Institut National des Équidés de Travail (INET) Research and development institute that conducts studies on working equid genetics, breeding, welfare, equipment, and sustainable agriculture practices.
• Labels Énergie Animale Professional certification labels for animal traction businesses and local authorities, certifying respect for equine welfare and animal kindness standards across viticulture, market gardening, urban services, and forestry.

Quantifiable outcome

• 90% reduction in CO2 emissions compared to mechanical market gardening
• +6 more outcomes

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• France Énergie Animale (FEA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Association loi 1901 created at SFET's initiative in 2020, bringing together around thirty professionals (individual businesses, local authorities, equipment manufacturers, and harness makers) to promote and develop animal energy at national scale. France Énergie Animale manages the Labels Énergie Animale certification program originally developed by SFET and serves as a founding member of INET's governance structure alongside SFET and FESTA.
• École Nationale du Cheval Vigneron (ENCV)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Training school created in 2019 by SFET with IFCE support, based in Saint-Émilion and Saint-Savin. ENCV trains young heavy horses (3-6 years, all 9 French heavy horse breeds) for viticultural work and delivers Certificat d'Aptitude Cheval Vigneron. It also trains winegrowers in equine viticulture and supports professional projects through training, equipment, and animal sales/accompaniment.
• École Nationale des Ânes Maraîchers (ENAM)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2013Training school created in 2013 by SFET with IFCE support, located in Saint-Savin, Gironde. ENAM trains young donkeys (3-6 years, all 8 French donkey breeds) for market gardening work and delivers Certificat d'Aptitude Ânes Maraîchers. It also trains market gardeners in donkey traction and supports professional projects through training, equipment, and animal sales/accompaniment.
• Institut Français du Cheval et de l'Équitation (IFCE)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey institutional partner supporting SFET, its national schools (ENAM, ENCV), and the Institut National des Équidés de Travail (INET). IFCE provides genealogical data through the SIRE platform which powers the Cupidon genetic management tool. IFCE also co-funds research (Coolâne project, temperament tests study, milk research), supports training programs, and provides scientific legitimacy. Financial partners include the IFCE among its research funders.
• Institut National des Équidés de Travail (INET)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAssociation loi 1901 created in 2021 as successor to INAM (Institut National Asin et Mulassier, 2007), with support from SFET and France Énergie Animale. INET conducts research and development across all working equid breeds, including genetic management, animal comfort, traction practices, and sector economics. SFET is a founding member of INET's governance alongside FEA and FESTA.
• FESTA FormationscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFESTA (Formations et Services en Traction Animale) is the training organization coordinating programs for SFET's three national schools (ENAM, ENCV, ENCT). It is a founding member of INET's governance alongside SFET and France Énergie Animale. FESTA listings are published on the Équidés & Formation platform.
• Chambre d'Agriculture de la GirondeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAgricultural chamber supporting a study comparing animal traction and conventional work on a vineyard plot at Saint-Castin, one of the ENCV training sites. This research supports the scientific validation of equine viticulture practices.
• HippomecaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEquipment manufacturer and partner of INET and the École Nationale des Ânes Maraîchers in the Coolâne project (analyzing donkey collar comfort). Hippomeca develops a complete range of innovative tools for animal traction, contributing to R&D on working equid equipment and comfort.
• Fédération Nationale Ânes et Randonnées (FNAR)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDonkey and hiking federation represented in INET's 'utilization' governance college alongside France Ânes Lait (FAL), contributing expertise on donkey leisure and trekking activities.
• France Ânes Lait (FAL)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFrench donkey milk producers association, partner in INET's 'utilization' governance college alongside FNAR. FAL is also a supporting partner of the 2022 milk research partnership with the Chamberet experimental station (IFCE).
• Fédération Nationale des Conseils des ChevauxminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational federation that developed the EquiPass application for equine welfare self-diagnosis, which SFET promotes to Selection Organizations and breeders. Also co-developed the mandatory Certificat d'Engagement et de Connaissance with SFET and Société Hippique Française on the Equiclasses.com platform.
• Société Hippique FrançaiseminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFrench horse society co-developer with SFET and the Fédération Nationale des Conseils des Chevaux of the Certificat d'Engagement et de Connaissance, the mandatory legal certification for equid owners delivered via Equiclasses.com.
• Station Expérimentale de Chamberet (IFCE)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIFCE experimental station conducting research on mare's milk and donkey's milk launched in 2022 in partnership with INET, with support from France Ânes Lait and France Équidés Lait. Various studies underway including milk frequency, supplementation, and sensory characterization.
• Various Local Authorities (Collectivités)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorApproximately 290 French municipalities that have reintegrated equids into urban services (waste collection, green space maintenance, school transport, watering, tourism transport) represent the primary market for the ENCT and for certified equine traction professionals under the Labels Énergie Animale program.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Fédération Française d'Équitation (FFE): National equestrian federation overseeing 6,500+ clubs and 2.7 million leisure riders in France. Comparable as a national federation with training, certification, and event coordination, but focused on riding sports rather than working equid breeding and traction.
• Institut Français du Cheval et de l'Équitation (IFCE): French national public institution for all equids, providing the SIRE genealogical database that powers SFET's Cupidon platform. IFCE is a core institutional partner and co-funds research and training; it covers a broader mandate (sport, racing, leisure) but is the closest comparable French equine governance body.

Regional players

• Deutsche Reiterliche Vereinigung (FN): German national equestrian federation covering breeding, sport, and welfare of all equids in Germany. Comparable in organizational scope and integration with a national horse database, though focused on sport horses rather than working equids, and operating in a different national regulatory context.
• British Horse Society (BHS): UK-based charity representing equestrians and horse owners, with welfare, training, and access-to-riding mandates. Comparable in scale and breadth of member services but focused on leisure riding and welfare rather than working equid breeding and genetic management.

Others

• INRAE (Institut national de recherche pour l'agriculture, l'alimentation et l'environnement): French national agricultural research institute that co-funds INET research alongside IFCE, Fonds Éperon, and the Ministry of Agriculture. Comparable as a scientific partner and grant provider rather than a direct competitor, but part of the same equine research and policy ecosystem.

Direct peers

• France Énergie Animale: Association loi 1901 created in 2020 at SFET's initiative, now a jointly controlled entity. Manages the Labels Énergie Animale professional certification program and promotes animal energy at national scale, making it a tightly intertwined peer with overlapping membership and mission.
• The Livestock Conservancy (USA): US nonprofit focused on conserving heritage breeds through breed registration, genetic diversity monitoring, and breeder education. Directly comparable to SFET's Cupidon-driven genetic diversity mission and its coordination of breed societies for at-risk populations.
• Société Hippique Française (SHF): French horse society that co-developed the Certificat d'Engagement et de Connaissance with SFET and the Fédération Nationale des Conseils des Chevaux. Comparable in being a national federation with regulatory and event-coordination roles, though focused on sport horse breeding rather than working equids.
• Fédération Nationale des Conseils des Chevaux: National federation of regional horse councils that co-developed the EquiPass welfare self-diagnosis application and the mandatory Certificat d'Engagement with SFET. Operates as a peer-level federation for equine welfare and good practices across France.
• Rare Breeds Survival Trust (UK): UK charity dedicated to the conservation of rare native livestock and equine breeds, maintaining breed registries and watchlists. Comparable to SFET in its mission to preserve endangered breeds (16 with fewer than 200 births/year) and coordinate genetic management across multiple breed societies.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/ecolenationaledesanesmaraichers
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/soci%C3%A9t%C3%A9-fran%C3%A7aise-des-%C3%A9quid%C3%A9s-de-travail-sfet

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Société Française des Équidés de Travail (SFET)