The Latvian draft horse breed is relatively young; work on its creation began about a century ago, in the 20s of the 20th century. At first, it was created to meet the needs of Latvian rural residents in draft power. In 1980, breeders dramatically changed the purpose of breeding and gradually reclassified the breed as a sports one. Today this breed line is widely used in show jumping and dressage.
Latvian draft horse breed
History of the Latvian horse
Until the beginning of the 20th century, the country did not have its own stud farms. The horses owned by the locals lived in the Latvian forests. They were distinguished by a massive physique and were well adapted to the local climate.
The active development of agriculture has led to an increase in the need of rural residents for draft power. Powerful horses were not enough. Then the task was set – to create a new draft breed. In 1921, a stud farm was opened in the city of Okta, in the Talsi district. It was on it that the breeders, led by the famous livestock specialist Martynsh Lage, had to work on the task.
Latvian breeders bought several dozen thoroughbred and crossbred horses from Germany and Holland. Mostly they were Oldenburg horses. Later, East Frisian and Dutch teams arrived at the plant. Before the start of the Great Patriotic War, the supply of European horses to Latvia was well established.
Since the founding of the plant until 1943, more than 100 heads of Oldenburg stallions and about 1000 crossbreds were purchased. Based on their genotype, the Latvian draft breed was bred, and it was registered in 1952.
Attention! The development of the Latvian heavy truck was also influenced by other breeds – Ardennes, Hanoverians, Trakehners and Norfolks. Thanks to their blood, breeders managed to form several breed types.
Exterior Features
The Latvian horse is truly unique – horses with a massive physique and strong bones are quite energetic and mobile. They are endowed with strong immunity, endurance and good disposition.
Representatives of this breed line are distinguished by a beautiful exterior and a dense body build. Characteristics:
- height – 1,6–1,7 m;
- large head;
- powerful long neck;
- straight profile;
- the body is elongated, massive;
- chest expanded;
- broad back and strong loin;
- muscular thighs and sinewy dry legs;
- The colors of the Latvian draft horse are karak, bay, red and black.
Latvian breed
Breed types
As a result of selection, several types of the Latvian horse have been obtained. Animals are classified according to size into:
- heavy;
- harness;
- riding.
From the beginning of the 20th century until the 80s, the main attention of breeders was focused on improving the first two types, since at that time the need arose precisely for strong ones. Large horses were involved in field work and helped in the transportation of goods. Stallions were used to improve local horses.
Attention! The main or heavy intrabreed type was formed on the basis of Arden blood. From them, the Latvian horses inherited not only a massive body, but also tremendous power.
The draft type was formed on the basis of the genotype of the Hanoverian and Norfolk stallions. These animals are distinguished by a harmonious physique and are suitable for both light sledding and agricultural work.
Over time, the demand for draft horses decreased, but interest in equestrian sports developed. Now scientists faced another task – to work on improving the type of horses for riding. For this, the local breed was crossed with Trakehner, Arabian and Hanoverian stallions.
Such a sharp turn entailed the need to change the name of the breed line. Since the heavy and draft types were supplanted over time, and most of the breeding stock belonged to riding light and fast horses, the breed was renamed. She is now called the Latvian Warmblood.
Latvian horse today
Breeders from Latvia are still continuing their work on improving the local breed. They competently approach the selection of individuals for breeding. Every year, the breeding stock increases, on average, by 500 heads. This is a small but stable population growth.
Latvian breed
The Latvian horse has proven itself in sports. She wins prizes in various competitions. Jumping is especially easy for her, so the breed is most often used in show jumping and dressage. The demand for fast and enduring horses of Latvian origin is also growing outside the country – in Russia and Europe.
Latvians highly value their breed of horses. Every year a horse show is held in the country, where stallions and mares demonstrate their beauty and skills. According to official data, the Latvian half-breed breed is included in the ranking of the best sports breeds in the world.
