Abstract: A method of handling skins or hides having a central line of increased thickness along the back of the skin or hide between a tail end portion and a front end portion comprises displacing the skin or hide to a workstation by means of two clamping pincers on a handling apparatus, in accordance with the following sequence of steps: the skin or hide is engaged at its tail and front portions by the pincers; the pincers are moved away from each other in order to put the skin or hide under tension along the backline of the hide; the skin or hide is raised so as to allow it to fold along the backline while it hangs freely; the skin or hide is then displaced to a workstation while hanging in the folded position; the folded skin or hide is then laid out flat under tension on a reception plane at the workstation; and the pincers are released from the tail and front portions of the skin or hide.