The horse is a beautiful and graceful animal. There are over two hundred breeds worldwide, fifty of which are bred in the former Soviet Union. This article will discuss their classification, as well as provide descriptions and photographs of some of the most popular.
Horse breeds
In one of the developed classifications identified 3 main groups.
The first group included horse breeds bred for their high performance capabilities, created under human-defined conditions. This group was divided into four types based on their intended purpose and specialization.:
- heavy draft horses (Soviet heavy draft horse, Russian heavy draft horse, Vladimir heavy draft horse, Percheron);
- harness (Russian trotter, Orlov trotter, Finnish breed and others);
- riding horses (thoroughbred, Budyonny, Andalusian, Trakehner breed and others);
- riding and harness horses (Hungarian, Morgan, Great Polish, German "half-blood" and others).
The second group includes animals bred in conditions as close to natural as possible. This group is also highly efficient. More homogeneous (riding, riding) — draft animals), however, they differ significantly in their biological qualities and therefore their divided into zonal subgroups:
- mountain,
- steppe,
- Southern Deserts.
The third group includes breeds formed by natural and artificial selection in conditions as close as possible to natural ones.
They have no specialization in productivity (working and meat and dairy); they are distinguished by their adaptability to local conditions and are divided according to distribution zones.:
- steppe,
- northern forest,
- mountain and
- island ponies.
In this article, we'll examine the most common breeds of the first group for each type. And since horses are currently of greatest interest in sports and equestrian pursuits, we'll begin with the riding horse.
Budyonnovsk horse breed
Budenovskaya is a riding horse, quite a common half-bred breedIt was recorded in 1948. This breed was bred by the First Cavalry Army and other horse breeding centers located in the Rostov region. Their leader was Marshal S.M. Budyonnov, after whom the breed was named. Don and Black Sea mares were crossed with thoroughbred stallions. Thus, Budyonnov horses possessed strength and racing qualities.
This breed was originally developed for cavalry, with the goal of achieving endurance. However, when the need for cavalry horses disappeared, the breeding focus shifted to sport and horseback riding, and the infusion of racing bloodlines increased.
Budyonnovskaya is distinguished by its standard standShe has an energetic temperament. She has a massive frame, well-developed muscles, a straight, broad back and loin, a broad chest, strong limbs, a proportional head, and a straight, long neck. The Budyonny horse reaches a height of approximately 170 cm.
The most common color of the Budyonny horse is red (as in the photograph), but there are also brown, bay, and black colors.
Morgan
Morgan is a riding and harness horse breed.
It is surprising that American Morgans are descended from one stallion named Justin Morgan. He was height no more than 142 cmWeighing no more than 386 kg, he nevertheless became renowned for his performances in sled pulling and harness racing, making him an exceptionally strong horse.
Morgans have a compact appearance (see photo) – deep body, short back, and muscular croup. They have a broad forehead, large eyes, short, upright ears, and a lush mane and tail. They have a light, springy gait, which is perhaps why they are considered the best pleasure horses.
Morgans reach an average height of 144-157 cm at the withers and weigh approximately 450 kg. They can be black, bay, brown, or red.
Orlov Trotter
The Orlov Trotter is a draft horse, also known as called the Orlov trotterA characteristic feature of him is that he is able to run at a brisk trot.
This Russian breed was developed at a stud farm in the late 13th and early 19th centuries by Count A. G. Orlov-Chesmensky, after whom it was named. The Orlov Trotter was developed by crossing approximately fifteen different breeds.
This animal has a large head, and swan-necked trotters are common. The Orlov Trotter's neck is straight and long, often swan-like, and the withers are medium in height. They have small, erect ears and large eyes. The back is long and laid back, and the croup of this breed is slightly sloping, as seen in the photo.
The Orlov Trotter appears to have high legs due to its broad chest. These horses move beautifully, they look smart and beautiful in harnessThey possess endurance and considerable strength. Orlov trotters come in snow-white or dapple gray, gray, black, bay, chestnut, and, very rarely, black.
Soviet heavy draft truck
The Soviet Heavy Draft is an unusually strong and large breed of horse with a high load-bearing capacity.
Their weight can reach about a ton, and their height is 170 cm. This breed has muscular forms (just look at the photo), a large, wide chest, back, loin, a very wide croup, legs of medium length, has coarse hair in the mane and tail, and a medium-sized head. Predisposed to fatty depositsTemperament: calm, phlegmatic, yet energetic. Mares are capable of producing large quantities of milk.
The Soviet heavy draft horse was developed over 60 years ago by crossing Ardennes, Brabancons, Percherons and Bityugs.
The most common colors are red, bay, and less commonly black and brown.
An interesting and famous fact in the world about the record in weight lifting (which still stands to this day) is connected with a representative of this breed - a stallion named Force - he managed to carry a load weighing 22,991 kg and walked 35 m with it.
Although interest in horses faded with the development of technological progress, and they lost their original purpose, thanks to connoisseurs who saved many breeds after wars and other disasters, the world can still enjoy the beauty and strength of horses.
