Horses have been bred in the Urals for a long time. The inhabitants of this region used the horse as a means of transportation and as an assistant in their work, they needed his strength. Now there is a growing interest in sports horse breeding. Common breeds of horses in the Urals are heavy trucks and trotters, although any horses can be bred in this area.
Breeding horses in the Urals
Horse breeding in the Urals
Historically, the inhabitants of the Urals have always been interested in worker-user horse breeding, and not commodity. At the junction of Europe and Asia, there are all conditions for breeding horses of different breed lines, experts say. There is an excellent forage base, a lot of untouched land that can be used for grazing animals. However, the demand for horse meat in this region is small, but in the Urals, horse breeding of a sports and tourist direction is rapidly developing.
Breeds of horses bred in the Urals:
- English Thoroughbred;
- Arabic;
- Akhal-Teke;
- Bashkir;
- Terskaya;
- Soviet heavy truck;
- Oryol trotter.
English racehorse breed
Based on the name, it becomes clear where this horse comes from – from England. The breed was created in the period from the 16th to the 18th century. Her ancestor is a stallion named Turk Bjerli.
Thoroughbred English horses are distinguished by large body dimensions. Characteristic:
- height at the withers reaches 165 cm;
- the chest is deep, wide, its girth is 180-190 cm;
- the length of the body is equal to the height of the animal;
- weight – 460-590 kg;
- the neck is long;
- muscular body;
- croup rounded, lowered;
- shoulders are well developed, located on an oblique line;
- the limbs are straight and thin with the correct setting;
- medium sized hooves;
- the head is small, dry, the profile is straight;
- expressive eyes;
- mane is sparse.
Thoroughbred English horse
English Thoroughbred horses are capable of speeds up to 70 km / h, they are energetic and agile. The nature of animals is quick-tempered and proud, they demand a respectful attitude towards themselves. In the Urals, horses of this breed participate in races, are used in show jumping and other sports.
Арабская
In the Urals, horses of Arab origin are also bred, which are considered one of the most beautiful on earth. These horses are used for participation in sports and as performance enhancers of other breed lines.
The main advantage of the Arabs is endurance. They are capable of running long distances, leaving behind even English horses. Arabian horses have a unique skeletal structure that distinguishes them from other breeds.
Distinctive features of the exterior:
- average height – 150 cm;
- long neck with a beautiful swan bend;
- the head is compact, dry with a concave profile that resembles a pike;
- nostrils wide;
- the limbs are thin and long;
- the body is muscular, lean, the stomach is taut;
- the tail is set high, and while galloping, it takes a vertical position;
- the main suits are black, bay, gray.
Akhalteke
The breed is very ancient, according to experts, it was bred 5000 years ago on the territory of modern Turkmenistan. Horses are distinguished by their spectacular appearance, but this is not their only advantage. Akhal-Teke horses are adapted to difficult climatic conditions, they easily tolerate air temperatures close to 50 degrees.
Akhal-Teke breed
Reference. Horses of this breed influenced the development of the Arabian and English breed lines.
Characteristic features of the exterior:
- height – 153-155 cm;
- compact head with a graceful muzzle and a straight or hook-nosed profile;
- slightly slanted eyes, expressive look;
- nostrils wide;
- auricles are large, mobile;
- elongated body;
- the neck is long, straight;
- thin muscular straight forelimbs, and saber is characteristic of the hind limbs;
- narrow chest, its girth – 175-190 cm;
- croup muscular, slightly lowered;
- suits – black, bay, nightingale, isabella, silver and karakov.
Akhal-Teke horses and mares have a wayward character and a subtle mind. They are distrustful of strangers, but have a tender affection for the owner.
Bashkir
This breed comes from the Southern Urals. In Bashkiria, it is used as a pack animal. Bashkir horses are hardy and undemanding – they graze in the pasture all year round, easily endure heat and cold. Animals are able to get food from under the snow in winter, raking it with their hooves.
External characteristics:
- stallion height is 142-145 cm;
- weight – 460 kg;
- the physique is strong;
- the neck is long;
- the body is short, as are the limbs;
- the chest is wide and deep, girth – 170 cm;
- thick coat;
- the main colors are bay, kaurai, red.
Terskaya
This breed of horse is relatively young, and its homeland is the Stavropol Territory. The Terek horse was registered in 1948. The blood of Arabian, Don and Streltsy horses flows in her veins. From their ancestors, animals inherited not only grace, but also endurance and speed, as well as good health and unpretentiousness.
Terek horse breed
Exterior of Terek horses:
- height 162 cm;
- powerful chest, girth 190 cm;
- the head is dry with a concave profile, like that of the Arabs;
- long graceful neck;
- wide rounded muscular croup;
- the limbs are thin and long;
- the color is predominantly gray or silver-gray.
The Terek breed is universal. It is used in various equestrian sports and shows excellent results. In the Urals, she helps in field work. These horses are graceful, intelligent, obedient and have a friendly disposition.
Soviet heavy truck
This breed was bred in Russia on the basis of stallions from Europe – Suffolks and Brabancons, it is also bred in the Urals. From their ancestors, horses inherited high growth and strong physique. Today, the Soviet heavy truck is the largest and strongest breed in the entire European part of Russia.
Animals are used for agricultural work and transportation of goods. The horse is able to carry a weight of several tons. The character of the Soviet heavy truck is good-natured, flexible.
Exterior:
- the average height of a stallion is 156-160 cm;
- powerful chest;
- long and dense back;
- the belly is rounded;
- lowered muscular croup;
- strong legs of medium length with large hocks;
- long powerful neck;
- the head is small with a convex profile;
- wool of medium density;
- colors: red, bay, black, brown, red-roan.
Orlovsky trotter
The founder of this breed was a horse named Smetanka, which was bought for a lot of money by Count Orlov from the Turkish Sultan in 1774. During his short life, the stallion managed to leave offspring – 4 horses and 1 mare.
Horse breed Orlovsky trotter
The Oryol horse is distinguished by its ability to trot quickly, it is classified as a light-draft breed. The horses are quite tall, the height at the withers reaches 170 cm and weighs 500-550 kg. External features:
- long swan neck;
- dry head with well-defined cheeks;
- the back is strong, muscular;
- the limbs are long, dry, strong with the correct setting;
- the chest is powerful;
- the croup is round, the muscles stand out clearly;
- suit – gray and its possible variations, less common is bay, black.
Oryol trotters are distinguished by a calm character, they are smart and amenable to training. Animals are used in races, in harness, in tourism and for agricultural work.
The breeds of horses bred in the Urals today are still mostly used for hard work. Commercial horse breeding is not developed in this region, but local residents have begun to show interest in horse racing and equestrian tourism.
