Sasi Ardi
The name of this breed, which contains a reference to the environment in which these animals live (areas of scrub between briers and shrub), comes from two words in the Basque language: “sasi”, which means briers, and “ardi”, the word for sheep. The Sasi Ardi, an exceptionally hardy breed bred in total freedom on mountainous areas, is found in very localised areas where Gipuzkoa and Navarra meet and in the valleys of Leizarán, Regata de Escurra, Regata de Urunea, Maldaerraka and Cinco Villas. It is also found in communities in the Duranguesado in Vizcaya. This breed is mainly used for meat production, which is currently based on suckling lambs. Sasi Ardi sheep are bred on an extensive basis in environments that are extraordinarily difficult due to the orography of the terrain and the lush nature of the scrub, which makes it difficult for the sheep to see and move around. Traditionally these sheep remained on the mountain all year round, with no source of food other than pasture, and were collected only for shearing. However, during the coldest months of the year many farmers now move their sheep from the mountains to the meadows, where they are given feed where appropriate.