Yakut horse: characteristics of the breed, care and maintenance, breeding rules

Some farmers raise horses. People who live in the northern regions are recommended to breed Yakut horses. The fact is that such a breed is adapted to a harsh climate, where low temperature indicators prevail. Before raising such animals, it is necessary to become more familiar with their characteristic features.

History of the origin of the breed

Many historians consider the Yakut breed one of the most ancient. The remains of such animals have been repeatedly discovered during archaeological excavations in the layer of permafrost. According to archaeologists, these horses existed as early as the thirtieth millennium BC.Some scientists believe that the ancient tundra horses were the ancestors of these animals. This breed has managed to survive to this day thanks to a well-developed musculoskeletal system, as well as increased endurance and the ability to adapt to any climatic conditions.

Content Region

Most often such horses are found in winter and summer on the territory of this tundra. The number of animals began to increase in 1988, when a herd of horses was released on one of the tundra sites. During the first few years, the animals managed to develop an area of more than 150 square kilometers.

To this day, three varieties of the Yakut breed of horses have been formed. The first type includes the Middle Kolyma and Verkhoyansk horses. The second type is considered more thermophilic, and therefore many call it southern. These horses are smaller and are not crossed with other breeds of horses. The third type is called factory.Animals belonging to this group are distinguished by their large size and resistance to low temperatures. Most Yakut horses live in the valleys near the Lena River. Sometimes they are found in the Kolyma basins.

Feature and description

To learn more about this breed, you need to understand its description and characteristics.

Exterior and colors

To predict the working qualities of a horse, it is necessary to assess the exterior. Animals have a rather non-standard appearance and large dimensions. However, there are other exterior features worth mentioning:

• strong physique with lots of muscle;
• large chest;
• wide back;
• thickened skin;
• thick wool;
• strong hooves;
• big head.

Adult horses grow up to one and a half meters in height. The average body weight is 550-600 kilograms. At the same time, the chest girth sometimes reaches 185 centimeters.

Speaking of physical characteristics, we should also mention the suit. There are several color manifestations that are considered distinctive features of the Yakut horses:

• thick and black mane;
• dark markings on coat;
• greyish-ash color.

Learning and character

According to most horse breeders, Yakut horses are very smart and obedient. Adults do not show signs of aggression and are therefore considered absolutely safe. Their main difference is ingenuity. They can also independently predict the further development of certain events.Horses are very emotional, they perfectly feel the human character and are able to remember the voices of people. Over time, they get used to the owners and the animals that live next to them.

Productive qualities and use of the animal

There are two main ways to use these unusual horses:

• Horse riding. This is considered the main purpose of such animals. Yakut horses are hardy and very stocky, which allows them to be used for movement even on snowy roads. Riding horses are used only as a means of transportation. They are completely unsuitable for other jobs.
• Meat and dairy production. Some are engaged in the cultivation of horses for fresh meat products. Their meat is considered a real delicacy, from which many national Yakut dishes are prepared.They are also used for milk production. It has healing properties and is used in traditional medicine.

Pros and cons

Some people prefer to consider different breeds of horses, analyzing their main disadvantages and advantages. It is worth noting that this breed has a lot of advantages. Among the main ones are the following:

• ease of care;
• hard work;
• non-aggressive behavior;
• increased stamina;
• learnability;
• survivability.

However, there are some disadvantages that people may encounter when breeding the Yakut breed of horses. Among the minuses, an unattractive exterior and the fact that such animals are considered not fully domesticated.

Care and maintenance of the Yakut horse

Everyone who is going to raise horses should be familiar with the peculiarities of caring for them.

Stable

First you need to figure out in which stables it is better to keep such horses. Experienced farmers do not recommend keeping them in fully enclosed barns. These animals are considered freedom-loving, as they are used to living in open spaces. Therefore, closed stables can negatively affect them. If it is not possible to keep them outside, you will often have to let them out for a walk.

The best option is a farm, on the territory of which there is a lot of fenced space. In such areas, horses will be able to run freely and will not feel limited in anything.

Feeding and watering

Such horses are considered unpretentious in the selection of food. They can even eat defective food.However, when grown on farms, they should be fed feed that contains vitamins. This diet helps to strengthen the immune system. Experienced farmers who have been growing the Yakut breed for many years are advised to add more grain and hay to their diet. In summer, horses are given more fresh grass. You can also add ripe apples, potatoes, carrots and beets to your daily diet. Young horses are given crushed food to make it easier to chew. They should be watered daily from a ten-liter bucket in the morning and evening.

Hygiene and horse care

When performing hygienic care for a horse, the following procedures are carried out:

• regular combing with a special comb of the tail and mane of horses;
• daily inspection and cleaning of hooves with a horse hook;
• back, head and neck cleaning with soft and hard fiber brushes;
• veterinary checkup to be done once or twice a year;
• Sponge cleaning every six months;
• washing eyes with warm water;
• daily rinsing of the genitals, which may remain fatty effusion.

Grazing

If possible, animals are released into the wild so that they can graze on the street and eat fresh grass. This is done at the end of spring and in the first half of summer, when there is most green grass. In the middle and in the second half of summer, there are fewer places for natural grazing. In this case, the animals will have to be given compound feed and hay again.

Horseshoe

Under natural conditions, horses live in areas with soft soil. It contributes to a slight abrasion of the surface of the feet. At the same time, the regenerative processes in the animal are quite active, which allows the hooves to recover on their own.Animals that are raised in private areas have to move a lot on harder surfaces. In such conditions, the hooves wear out many times faster and therefore they have to be shod. This will protect the hooves from damage and prevent excessive wear. Horseshoeing should not be done on your own. It is better to entrust this work to a professional.

Vaccinations and disease prevention

To keep the horses on the farm from getting sick, you need to visit the veterinarian regularly and get vaccinated. Also, to maintain the he alth of horses, you need to perform the following actions:

• installing a separate feeder and drinker for each animal;
• drawing up a diet that will include food with enough vitamins and other beneficial trace elements;
• regular cleaning of used inventory;
• cleaning the stable at least 1-2 times a month;
• disinfection of premises where horses are kept.

Breeding

To breed horses, you need to familiarize yourself with the peculiarities of their mating, because without this it will not be possible to get new offspring. It is recommended to engage in mating when the animals are two and a half years old. If you do this earlier, then the horse will have problems with pregnancy.

A pregnant female needs more care. She needs more frequent and better feeding. It is also necessary that the veterinarian periodically examine her and monitor the course of pregnancy. It is not necessary to carefully care for a newborn mare. For example, in the first months of life, the cub will eat only mother's milk. To accustom him to solid food begin two months after birth.

The cost of a horse

People who have seriously decided to breed Yakut horses are interested in the cost of animals. The price directly depends on the age of the horse. For example, an adult mare costs about fifty thousand rubles. At the same time, the cost of a small horse is 20-30 thousand.

Interesting facts

Some interesting facts about Yakut horses stand out:

• Such animals are considered centenarians. Their endurance allows them to keep working for 20-30 years.
• Unpretentious in nutrition. You can feed mares not only with fresh grass, but also with pasture.
• The meat of the Yakut horses is considered healing. It contains many nutrients that help strengthen the immune system.

Conclusion

Some owners of private plots are planning to start breeding Yakut horses. However, before that, you need to familiarize yourself with the description of such animals and the peculiarities of caring for them.

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