Don breed of horses: description and photo

The Don breed of horses has an amazing history. It goes in the same order with the Don River, the Cossacks, and hence with Russia as a whole. Therefore, horses have not only sports, labor or some other meaning. Don horses are an integral part of the entire Russian people, and their formation, breeding in modern times, the preservation of the breed is one of the primary tasks of the country's farmers.

Formation of rock

Don horses were created in the steppe conditions, they were used to meet the needs of the Cossacks. At that time, it was required to create an animal that could show excellent characteristics in military and labor activity, but it did not have special requirements for care. In addition, life in the herd should not create trouble for the riders, because, for obvious reasons, proximity to relatives away from the person, the horses cease to perceive him as their master.

As a material for creating the ideal Cossack horse, Kalmyk breeds served. On the Don they were brought by nomads. This was the main material, but it was constantly added to other individuals: Arabs, Persians, thoroughbred mounts and so on. Over time, the breed was fully formed, and in modern times one can admire stallions and beautiful mares.

Today the real pride of Russia is the Don breed of horses, photos of these animals stand in line with the Oryol trotter. Many farmers are happy to bred them, because unpretentiousness, diligence and many other positive qualities in every way contribute to this.

History of the Don rock

The Don Cossacks, whose base of settlement was located on the Don River, always guarded the country's borders from the southern conquerors. Therefore, horses were their main type of livestock, since without them the necessary means of armament was excluded.

Initially the horses of the Don Cossacks were small, but very hardy and mobile. Then the breed was called Old Don, but it is the basis of modern horses.

To form good relations not only with people, but also with their relatives, Cossacks raised animals in herds. And for the development of valuable for that time qualities, individuals underwent rigorous selection. Moreover, his Cossacks spent whole generations, not only horses, but also their owners.

Throughout history, the Don breed has been repeatedly destroyed huge herds. So, for example, in 1966 under Astrakhan stood 10 thousand people, and in fact all of them were horsemen. Later, in 1722, twice as many horses died during the Persian campaign. During the war of 1812 the Don Cossacks helped to defeat the army of Napoleon, to the aid of soldiers comes 60 thousand horsemen.

The second period of the history of the breed is the development of private horse breeding. Farmers receive more conditions for their farm, which also contributes to the improvement of horse maintenance. They again pass the selection, as a result of which the breed was fully formed. The horses served not only in the Russian cavalry, large parties were exported abroad, mostly to Hungary.

Description of Don horses

People who are related to the corresponding animals can immediately identify among several specimens where the Don breed of horses. The description of the standard stallion is as follows. The height of the animal reaches 168 cm, the color is red and brown, quite often there are individuals that have a golden hue. This is due to short hair and increased secretion of sebum, it seems that the horse shines.

The exterior does not differ much from other breeds, except that the knees are located lower, they are concave inwards. The middle head and length of the neck, the straight back, the oval form of the girth of the individual, the straight legs - all this determines not only the quality of the Don horse, but also other representatives of this animal world.

As for the character, the main feature is trouble-free operation. However, it is assigned only to those animals that live in the stables, since for them a person is a breadwinner. The owner constantly needs to repay the workforce - it seems that this is what all the Don horses think.

Mares have the same outlines as stallions, with one difference - they are slightly lower and smaller in size. As for the suit, the exterior, the character, then these indicators are similar to each other.

The nature of the horses of the Don rock

When considering animals in relation to their disposition, the Don breed of horses stands out against the background of the rest. The nature of stallions and mares is approximately the same. And if you do not include the participation of a person in his formation, he will be malicious and obstinate. The fact is that throughout the history of the breed, it was often subjected to destruction, was on the verge of extinction. Due to their excellent characteristics, they could be used productively in wars, endurance and speed made horses dangerous enemies. Therefore, an evil character was formed.

The nature of any animal can be reassured if a person is nearby. The horse invariably understands that it is fed and watered by the owner, therefore, he is good, and behave alongside him in the proper way. As a result of people's participation in the life of animals, their character changes, often for the better.

The method of breeding horses can also affect the character. If the individual is constantly in the stable, walks on the lawn of the pen, and next to it there are only 2-3 representatives of the same breed, then she will love the person more than anyone else in the world. If the breeding is herd, then the character becomes more independent.

Characteristics of the breed

There are several indicators that only the Don breed of horses possesses. Characteristic, no matter what, is developed with time. Every historical stage has its impact on all indicators. Therefore, during the formation of the breed, some characteristics were developed:

1. An elongated trunk.
2. Straight back, without bends. There are some types that have a carpous back.
3. The back part of the body is elongated, straight.
4. Short long withers.
5. Short neck.
6. Extended average head size.
7. Strong and regular limbs, but with undeveloped joints of the foot.
8. Broad chest.
9. Flat hooves.

However, all these indicators will directly depend on care, thoroughbredness, abundance of food and many other components. If it is not enough to feed and take care of the animal, it will never meet the expectations of its owner.

Features of the breed

If you consider the horses from the beauty of the exterior, then far from the last place will be the Don breed of horses. The photo of the individuals is a direct confirmation of this. If we consider horses from the endurance side, the Don breed will again not be left out. For this reason, it has many features.

First, you need to point out the unpretentiousness. In nature there are many beautiful horses with a disciplined nature, but they can be kept only in the stables. The Don are quietly living in the herds, which greatly facilitates the withdrawal.

Secondly, horses calmly tolerate cold and heat, and also they are unusually hardy. Exceptions are only some types that are specially grown for sports competitions or exhibitions. For the rest of the representatives to gallop at least 100 kilometers will not be difficult.

And lastly, horses of the Don breed are often used to improve horses in the territory of Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan. This is due to the fact that they calmly transfer the change and severity of weather conditions, have a good temper and a few other preferential differences.

Breed types

The Don breed of horses is divided into several types. The main of them: dense, eastern and riding. The first type includes horses that have an elongated body. In addition, they are distinguished by a large girth, it reaches up to 210 cm.

The eastern type has a long neck with a wide and stout nape. A dry constitution is also a distinguishing feature of horses. It is much more difficult to keep such animals than others, since a small scalp requires increased care. And also these horses will not be able to develop normally in a cold climate.

And the last common type is riding horses. Their exterior is one of the most beautiful. He is close to the thoroughbred mount. Therefore, despite the name of the type, animals are most often exhibition, or participate in demonstration competitions.

Growing Don's horses

The Don breed of horses is unique in its structure. Due to excellent characteristics, the ability of animals to learn, they can be used in any kind of economic, sporting or gaming activities. It should be considered in which areas the horses in question can make progress:

• In sports (triathlon, competition, hobby-class, runs and so on). Thanks to the calm nature, the abolition of discipline, if the horse from the very beginning of accustoming to a particular field, it will definitely make progress.
• In the riding. Thus the rider will experience some inconveniences, since the front part of the horses is wider than the rear. As a result, a man will have to exert more effort to survive in the saddle.
• In light harness. Unfortunately, Don's horses will not be able to transport heavy loads. But light carts are quite within their power.
• During the training of new riders. As training horses, many equestrian clubs use the Don breed. This is due again to the discipline of horses.

Due to its beauty, the Don horse is often shown at exhibitions. Photos of mares and stallions fascinate viewers, a magnificent become and an uncommon suit have always been trumps of the breed.

If the breeding is oriented to breeding work, then it is possible to do this only within the limits of one breed. It is advisable not to get carried away by crossing in one herd, it is recommended to exchange between farmers. But you can not use other or mixed breeds for breeding.

Modern data on the Don rock

At the moment, the Don horses are under serious threat. Photo of these animals should have already adorned the pages of the Red Book. For example, in 2012, only 20 thoroughbred stallions could be removed. While at the dawn of the formation of farmers brought them hundreds. Moreover, many farms that were breeding breeds went bankrupt. As a result, the territories were bought up by entrepreneurs who are not at all interested in keeping the number of Don horses.

But, despite all the difficulties that these animals have encountered throughout their history, they have found their place on some farms, equestrian sports, and so on. It should be noted that small entrepreneurs are also interested in breeding the breed. Of course, one can not name their contribution to the preservation of the species as large, but it is present.

Thus, the Don breed of horses took a direct part in the history of Russia. Its contribution to the development of the country, protection from ill-wishers and enemy invaders should be called invaluable. A lot of characteristic features, which mainly distinguish Don horses from other breeds, make them useful in modern times. Therefore it is important to preserve this species.