Horses of Isabella suit: origin and breeds found

Keeping an Isabella-colored horse in a private stable confirms the owner's impeccable taste, security, and makes him significant. Animals with an excellent pedigree are graceful, intelligent and wayward. There were legends about the endurance and devotion of horses to their owner. Over the 5 centuries of existence, horses have not only not changed in appearance, but have also transferred their genes to other breeds.

A bit of history

On the territory of Akhal-Teke - one of the oases of modern Turkmenistan - in the 16th century, breeding work began on breeding Akhal-Teke horses. Unlike other riding breeds, Akhalketian horses were distinguished by the elegance of lines, smartness, and harmony.They also became the first carriers of the unique isabella suit. For 500 centuries, the Turkmens kept light horses in the household, providing them with food, care, and comfortable living conditions.

The owners of the Akhal-Teke took care of maintaining the purity of the genotype, not allowing strangers to reproduce. They tamed the obstinate temper, developing humility, used it for movement and protection from enemies. Now refined, elegant horses of the Isabella color are considered the standard of the exterior. Americans call this color cremello (cremello), or cream. Animals with hair of this color are classified as genetically red horses.

Preservation of the purity of the genotype of Isabella horses over the centuries has become possible due to the isolation of the territory, the attitude of the local population towards horses as members of their families.

Origin of the name

The popularity of horses of the Isabella suit came during the reign of the Netherlands by Queen Isabella Clara Eugenia. According to legend, the young royal made a promise to herself not to take off her nightgown until the capture of the Belgian port of Ostend by King Albrecht of Austria.

It took a long 3 years before the siege of the city was crowned with victory. During this time, the undershirt changed color from snow-white to cream. It is not known for certain whether these events are true or fictional, but since then the cream color of graceful horses has been called Isabella.

Appearance

If the skin of most colors is gray, the skin of Isabella horses is pale pink, without pigmentation. Other exterior features:

stallion height - 160-165 cm, mares - 157-160;
weight - up to 470 kg;
eyes - pale blue, blue, sometimes green;
ears - movable, regular shape;
wool - cream, white;
neck - long, with a beautiful curve;
legs - muscular, dry;
tight stomach, sloping croup;
tail - medium length, low set.

In natural light, the well-groomed coat of an Isabella-colored horse shines. Depending on the angle of refraction of the sun's rays and the time of day, the skin shimmers with silver, milky reflections, and at sunset acquires a pink glow. Let's say the color of the tail, mane is 2 tones darker than the main color.

Animals of Isabella suit attract photographers, naturalists, breeders. The latter do not always achieve results when crossing animals of light colors.

Features, disposition and behavior

Outwardly fragile, graceful horse has remarkable strength, wayward character. Isabella-colored horses do not win prizes in horse racing, as they are smart, careful and do not overcome obstacles if they are not confident.

Temperamental Akhal-Teke horses love movement, catch the rider's mood, and keep strangers away. Loyal and obedient to the owner, touchy when treated inappropriately.

Horse mistrust creates a problem when changing ownership. In order for an animal to recognize a host in a stranger, they go a long and hard way. Horses during training show obstinacy. If they do not want to carry out the command, force will not help, only love, affection and patience. Despite the outward fragility and thin skin, Isabella-colored horses endure temperature extremes and are able to carry two uniformed riders.

Breeds, among which isabella suit is found

Scientists have identified the Cream gene of Isabella color, the mechanism of its manifestation, the formation of other stripes. In the course of scientific research, it turned out that a combination of two genes - Extention, Agouti - is necessary to form bay, black and red colors. If the dominant Cream is acting, an isabella coloration is formed. To make this happen, they select a couple with exactly the same red genes. A cream-colored foal is born from golden, tan and nightingale parents.

Due to the fact that inheritance occurs only in animals homozygous for the Cremello gene, there are few cream horses, although they are also found among other breeds. Among the same Akhal-Teke horses, the isabella suit is formed in 2.5%. A DNA test is used to confirm the color.

Breeds with representatives of the Cremello suit, except for the Akhal-Teke:

American cream. The only draft heavy trucks bred in America and survived to this day. Application - agricultural work. White spots are allowed in the color. A characteristic sign is an amber iris, pink skin.
Kinsky. Czech tall (160-170 cm) breed of golden color, known since the 12th century, named after an ancient princely family engaged in horse breeding. It is used for amateur and sports riding. Horses are distinguished by good-natured disposition, agility, jumping ability.
Welsh pony. A small horse (120-137 cm), originally from the British Isles, has several colors, among which there is a light cream color. Used for riding, sledding.
Orlovskaya. The breed was bred by the Russian count Alexei Orlov to solve the transport problem. Light-harnessed Oryol trotters are distinguished by their brisk pace, endurance, and resistance to adverse weather conditions. Today, horses are used for walking, sports.

Interesting facts

Features of Isabella horses:

shine wool is noticeable even in photos without overlay effects;
horses are able to move on quicksand thanks to unusual gaits;
the animal is hurt by indifference, neglect of the owner;
creamy Akhal-Teke is an expensive and rare breed, whose price reaches 1-2 million dollars;
in another way, horses are called cream - by coat color;
smooth movements of the animal are not tiring for the rider;
thin skin, sparse wool do not interfere with the Isabella horse to endure temperatures from -30 to +50 °C.