Rare breeds of horses: a description of the most unusual and beautiful, extinct species

The horse population is considered uneven. The number of these animals depends on many factors. A significant reduction in livestock is due to the mechanization of all sectors of the economy. Some species have completely disappeared due to the reduction of their working use, the second ones have become much less common. To preserve rare breeds of horses, special clubs are opened and appropriate laws are adopted at the state level.

The most rare and beautiful breeds of horses

Today there are many rare breeds of horses that have excellent decorative characteristics.

Shire

This is an old English breed. Its representatives are quite large in size. Today, such horses are used if great strength and endurance are required. They are considered real heavy trucks. Therefore, such animals are often used in traction competitions.

Newfoundland pony

These small animals come from the island of Newfoundland. Their ancestors are horses brought from the British Isles. Adult individuals do not exceed 140 centimeters in height. Currently, their population is no more than 400 animals. The breed is considered a national treasure and is included in the Red Book of Canada.

Hacknee

This is an English breed derived from local, Arabian and Spanish horses. Horses have been known since the fourteenth century. Initially, they were used for riding.Subsequently, the horses were improved and became known as Norfolk. The new array became the basis for breeding the Hacknee breed.

The growth of these animals at the withers reaches 147-168 centimeters. They have a bay or black color and many marks. The gait is considered springy, and during the trot, the animals raise their legs high.

Caspian

This is one of the most ancient breeds. For a long time it was considered lost. However, in 1965, during an expedition to Iran, unusual undersized animals were found. Since then, work has been underway to restore the breed.

The average height of animals at the withers reaches 117 centimeters. There is a pronounced crest on the head. It is located on the parietal bone. Many individuals have a pair of extra teeth. There are prominent spinous processes on the thoracic vertebrae.

Cleveland bay

This first English breed originated in Yorkshire.Initially, it was bred as a pack variety. However, over time, the animals became draft animals and became widespread among merchants. A distinctive feature of the breed was the suit. Animals have an exclusively bay color. The decrease in the number of livestock is due to the mass mechanization of production. After World War II, this process only accelerated. In 1962, there were literally 4 breeding stallions.

To restore the animal population, the help of Queen Elizabeth II was needed. Today there are 550 of these horses. The growth of animals at the withers is 163-168 centimeters. They are characterized by a large head and short limbs with well-developed muscles. Only bay horses are included in the stud book, although most breeders prefer light colors.

Colonial Spanish

This breed has become a cross between different types of horses - mainly from the Iberian Peninsula.In the seventeenth century, there were more than 10 thousand heads of such horses. However, most of them became feral and mixed with representatives of other breeds. As a result, the horses turned into mustangs. Currently, the number of breeding individuals is no more than a few hundred. Horses do not exceed 137-142 centimeters at the withers. At the same time, their live weight is 320-360 kilograms.

Animals are characterized by a straight profile. The upper jaw is longer than the lower. They can be of any suit.

American cream

This is a young breed that comes from one representative. She became the mare Granny, which was bought by an American farmer in 1911. According to the exterior, it belongs to the category of heavy draft horses. However, it is impossible to reliably trace the pedigree.

After covering the mare with black percheron, we managed to get a stallion of cream color. With him began the selection of the breed. At the end of the fifties of the last century, the number of cream heavy trucks was more than 200 individuals. However, the breed did not become popular.

Height at the withers is 152-170 centimeters. The weight of animals reaches 680-850 kilograms. The cream color of the coat is associated with the action of the Champagne gene.

Falabella

This breed is characterized by small size. Their height is a maximum of 50 centimeters. In terms of body structure, animals resemble ordinary horses, and in size - 2-3 times smaller. They have a friendly personality, are great with children and can be used to teach kids how to ride.

Sorraya

The name of the breed comes from 2 rivers - Sor and Raya. They took place in the habitat of animals - in Portugal. Animals are distinguished by their modest appearance, gray color and small stature. Today the breed is on the verge of extinction. Therefore, many breeders are trying to breed these animals in order to preserve the rare species.

Akhal-Teke

Representatives of this rare and beautiful breed were obtained more than 5000 years ago. They owe their appearance to the Turkmen tribes. Animals differ significantly from other breeds in appearance. They are characterized by thin skin through which blood vessels are visible.

The hairline also has a fine and silky texture.

Horses are characterized by a rare mane that is not sheared throughout life. Common colors include black, bay, gray and red. Also found buckskin and brown wool. A characteristic feature is the presence of a silvery and golden reflection.

Unusual types of horses

There are many unusual breeds of horses that differ from other animals in appearance.

American Curly Horse

These animals are characterized by thick and fluffy hair. Thanks to this, they are able to withstand extreme temperatures down to -40 degrees. These horses were first discovered in America in 1898. It happened in the mountains of Nevada.

Arab Thoroughbred

This breed originated in the Arabian Peninsula. This happened in the 4th-7th centuries AD. To this day, these animals are used in the organization of races and races. They are distinguished by endurance and have good he alth. Animals are characterized by low weight and height, but this does not prevent them from carrying an adult person for a distance of 160 kilometers.

Knabstrupper

This is a rare breed that comes from Denmark. A characteristic feature of the horses is the original color. This is a Dalmatian horse.

Pintabian

This is a rare breed that has a two-tone color. She was released in 1992. There are no more than 300 individuals of such animals in the world. They originate from Arabian horses.

Friesian horse

This is one of the most attractive and original breeds in the world. Friesian horses are large and look very elegant. They can only have a black suit. Sometimes Frisians are called black pearls. Today, these horses are bred exclusively for decorative purposes. They do not take part in any competitions.

Percheron

These are powerful and muscular horses. At the same time, they are distinguished by a calm, affectionate and friendly character.

Missouri Foxtrotter

This breed of horse was bred in Missouri. These horses are characterized by a muscular body, a powerful physique and a special gait. Horses can walk at a fox trot. At the same time, the front legs move at a walk, and the hind legs move at a trot.

Anglo-Norman Horse

This is a strong and hardy animal that is versatile. Horses are allowed to be used for riding, in harness, for carting.

Cuban Pacers

This is a relatively young breed that is developing and improving today. The horses are characterized by a small neat head and a long neck. Horses are distinguished by a noble color and a muscular body. They are characterized by ease of care and breeding.

Cuban pacers are notable for their unpretentious diet, seldom get sick and have an obedient disposition.

Extinct breeds

There are many extinct animals today. The most famous include the following:

1. Tarpan. It is considered the ancestor of modern horses. These animals lived in modern Europe - in the center and in the southeast. They also met in some regions of Russia. They were small horses with hooked noses, a lush mane and thick hair. They also had a small tail.Tarpans lived in herds and were highly cautious. Animals were exterminated by human hands. The last representative of the breed died in 1918.
2. Quagga. These animals lived in South Africa. The horses were characterized by a striped head color, like a zebra. The rest of the body was bay. The natives managed to teach these animals to guard the herds. When predators approached, the quaggs immediately raised their voices. This helped people keep their pets. Along with this, horses were hunted. This was due to the high strength of their skins. The last individuals died in the middle of the nineteenth century.
3. Bityug. These Russian heavy trucks appeared in the eighteenth century. They were bred in Russia by crossing heavy trucks with imported Dutch and Danish horses. The Bityugs were large in size, therefore they were very popular with the peasants. They are often used in agriculture. In the nineteenth century, animals began to gradually disappear. Breeders attribute this process to the mixing of bityug blood with other breeds.
4. Hagerman's horse. These animals were among the oldest representatives of the genus. This species appeared 3.5 million years ago. He was a small horse that looked like a zebra. Scientists have found that horses became extinct 10,000 years ago. They attribute it to climate change.
5. Drykgants. This is the most mysterious breed, the existence of which has no exact evidence. It is believed that drykgants were a Belarusian-Polish variety of horses, which disappeared in the sixteenth or seventeenth century. These horses were known for their loy alty and endurance. Therefore, they often participated in battles and military campaigns.

There are many rare breeds of horses. Each of them is characterized by certain features. Today, some animal species are on the verge of extinction. State support and the creation of special breeding clubs help to save them.

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