Belarusian Harness Horse

2023 Author: Molly Page | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-05-24 12:33

The Belarusian harness horse (Byelorussian harness horse) was bred in Belarus by the method of complex reproductive crossing. The basis was the local Polissya forest horses. For a long time they were improved by the Ardennes, the Gudbrandsdal, the North Swedish and other weighted breeds. The best crossbred animals obtained from such crosses were bred in themselves.

The selection of horses was carried out according to adaptive and working qualities. An important role in organizing work to improve the local horse population was played by state factory stables, staffed by selected producers of heavy draft and other draft breeds.

In the 1850s, there were already 22 small stud farms and 4 state factory stables on the territory of Belarus; in the 1870s, the following factories were famous: Gory-Goretsky, Maryina Gorka, Vishnevo, Gorodki, Lyuban, Olshevo, Lebedka, Krevo, Danyushevo and others. They housed 170 breeding stallions and over 1300 mares. At this time, 6 main lines and 6 families are distinguished. The improvement of the Belarusian draft horses is carried out by the method of purebred breeding along the lines.

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Belarusian horses of a harmonious constitution, broad-bodied, with the correct positioning of the limbs, a strong hoof horn. Most horses have an energetic temperament and free movement. By nature, animals are kind. Belarusian draft horses are used for transport and agricultural work, and the lighter type is also used for riding.

The main colors of horses are dun, red, mouse, and nighting. The coverage of the mane, tail, brushes is significant.

Dimensions of stallions-producers, cm; height at withers - 155.3 cm, oblique body length - 161.9, chest girth - 189.6 - 22.0. Size of mares: 151.0 - 156.9 - 175.0 - 20. Live weight of stallions - 605 kg, mares - 507 kg.

When tested, a distance of 2 km with a load of 1500 kg, they pass in 15.06-16.42 minutes, at a trot with a load of 500 kg in 5.56-7.02 minutes. The best horses carried loads weighing from 9.8 to 18.6 tons.

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Appearance: large head with a broad forehead and muscular neck; strong legs with minimal covering; strong hooves. The Belarusian harness develops and matures slowly, but the reproductive age remains up to 25 years.

Belarusian draft mares are used on kumis farms in farms - the average milk yield is 1648.8 kg of milk per lactation.

There are two intra-breed types in the breed group; weighted and medium. Within these types, six breeding stallion lines have been created - Orlik, Anode, Bayan, Zavetny, Dove, Lesnoy Eagle and several mother families. It is currently the only national horse breed in Belarus.