The Don breed of horses has an amazing history. It is in line with the Don River, the Cossacks, and therefore with Russia as a whole. Therefore, horses have not only sports, labor or any other value. Don horses are an integral part of the entire Russian people, and their formation, breeding in modern times, the safety of the breed is one of the primary tasks of the country's farmers.
Rock formation
Horses of the Don breed were created in the steppe conditions, they were used to meet the needs of the Cossacks. At that time, it was required to create such an animal that could show excellent characteristics in military and labor activity, but at the same time had no special requirements for care. In addition, life in the herd should not have caused trouble for the riders, because for obvious reasons, close proximity to relatives is alienating from the person, the horses cease to perceive him as their master.
Kalmyk breeds served as a material for creating the ideal Cossack horse. Nomads brought them to the Don. This was the main material, but other individuals were constantly added to it: Arabs, Persians, thoroughbreds and so on. Over time, the breed has fully formed, and in modern times you can admire stately stallions and beautiful mares.
Today, the Don pride of horses is the real pride of Russia, a photo of these animals is on a par with the Orlov trotter. Many farmers are happy to breed them, as unpretentiousness, hard work and many other positive qualities contribute in every way to this.
Don breed history
The Don Cossacks, whose settlement was located on the Don River, always protected the country's borders from the southern conquerors. Therefore, horses were their main type of animal husbandry, since without them the necessary weapons were excluded.
Initially, the horses of the Don Cossacks were medium-sized, but very hardy and mobile. Then the breed was called Old Don, but it is precisely it that is the basis of modern horses.
In order to form good relations not only with people, but also with their relatives, the Cossacks raised animals in herds. And for the development of qualities valuable for that time, 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 by huge herds. So, for example, in 1966, 10 thousand people stood up near Astrakhan, and virtually 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 help defeat Napoleon's army, 60 thousand horsemen come to the aid of soldiers.
The second period in the history of the breed is the development of private horse breeding. Farmers get more conditions for their farm, which also contributes to improving the maintenance of horses. They again pass the selection, as a result of which the breed in question was completely formed. 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 is. The description of the standard stallion is as follows. The height of the animal reaches 168 cm, the color is red and brown, individuals that have a golden hue are quite common. This is due to the short hair and increased excretion of sebum, it seems that the horse is shiny.
The exterior is not much different from other breeds, except that the knees are lower, they are concave inward. The average head and length of the neck, the straight body of the back, the oval shape 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 character, the main feature is reliability in work. However, it is assigned only to those animals that live in the stables, since for them the person is the breadwinner. The owner constantly needs to pay back with labor - it seems that all Don horses think so.
Mares have the same shape as the stallions, with one difference - they are slightly lower and smaller in size. As for the suit, exterior, character, these indicators are similar to each other.
The nature of the horses of the Don breed
When considering animals regarding their temper, the Don breed of horses stands out from the rest. The character of the stallions and mares is approximately the same. And if you do not include human participation in its formation, then he will be spiteful and obstinate. The fact is that throughout the history of the breed, it was often subjected to destruction, was on the verge of extinction. Thanks to their excellent characteristics, they could be used productively in wars, endurance and speed made horses dangerous opponents. Therefore, an evil character was formed.
The temper of any animal can be reassured if there is a person nearby. The horse invariably understands that the owner is feeding and watering it, therefore, he is good, and you need to behave alongside him in an appropriate manner. As a result of people's participation in animal life, their character changes, often for the better.
The method of
breeding horses can also affect the character. If an individual is constantly in the stable, walking on the lawn of the paddock, and next to it there are only 2-3 representatives of the same breed, then it will love the person more than anyone in the world. If herd breeding, then the character becomes more independent.
Breed characteristics
There are several indicators that only the Don breed of horses has. A characteristic, no matter what, is developed over time. Any historical stage has an impact on all indicators. Therefore, during the formation of the breed, some characteristics were developed:
- Elongated torso.
- Straight back, without bends. There are some types that have a carp-like back.
- The back of the body is elongated, straight.
- Low long withers.
- Short nape.
- Elongated medium-sized head.
- Strong and regular limbs, but with undeveloped joints of the foot.
- Wide chest.
- Flat hooves.
However, all these indicators will directly depend on care, thoroughbred, an abundance of food and many other components. If it is not enough to feed and care for the animal, then it will never live up to the expectations of its owner.
Breed features
If we consider the horses from the beauty of the exterior, then the Don breed of horses will not be in the last place. Photo of individuals is a direct confirmation of this. If we consider the horses from the side of endurance, then the Don breed again will not remain on the sidelines. For this reason, she has many features.
First, you need to point out unpretentiousness. In nature, there are many beautiful horses with a disciplined disposition, but they can be kept only in the stables. Don ones live quietly in herds, which greatly facilitates care.
Secondly, horses calmly tolerate cold and heat, and they are also unusually hardy. Exceptions are only some types that are specifically grown for sports or exhibitions. For the rest of the representatives to ride at least 100 kilometers is not difficult.
And finally, Don horses are often used to improve horses in Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan. This is due to the fact that they calmly endure the change and severity of weather conditions, have a good disposition and several other advantageous differences.
Breed types
The Don breed of horses is divided into several types. The main ones: thick, eastern and horse. The first type includes horses that have an elongated body. In addition, they are distinguished by a large girth, it reaches 210 cm.
The eastern type has a long neck with a wide and stately nape. A dry constitution is also a hallmark of horses. Keeping such animals is much more difficult than the rest, as a small hairline requires increased care. And also these horses will not be able to develop normally in cold climates.
And the last common type is riding horses. Their exterior is one of the most beautiful. He is close to purebred horseback. Therefore, despite the name of the type, animals are most often exhibition or participate in demonstration competitions.
Breeding horses of the Don breed
The Don breed of horses is unique in its structure. Due to the excellent characteristics, the ability of animals to learn, they can be used in any kind of economic, sports or gaming activities. It should be considered in which areas the horses in question can make progress:
- In sports (eventing, show jumping, hobby class, runs and so on). Due to the calm nature, the abolition of discipline, if you accustom a horse to this or that field from birth, it will definitely make progress.
- In horseback riding. At the same time, the rider will experience some inconvenience, since the front of the horses is wider than the rear. As a result, a person will have to make more efforts to hold out in the saddle.
- In a light harness. Unfortunately, Don horses will not be able to transport heavy loads. But light carts are quite within their power.
- During training new riders. Many horse clubs use the Don breed as training horses. This is again due to the discipline of the horses.
Due to its beauty, the Don horse is often shown at exhibitions. Photos of mares and stallions fascinate the audience, a magnificent become and an unusual suit have always been the trump cards of the breed.
If breeding is focused on breeding, then you can do this only within the framework of one breed. It is advisable not to get carried away by crossing in one herd, an exchange between farmers is recommended. But you can not use for breeding other or mixed breeds.
Current data on the Don breed
Don horses are currently under serious threat. Photos of these animals should already be adorning the pages of the Red Book. For example, in 2012, only 20 thoroughbred stallions were bred. Whereas at the dawn of formation, farmers brought them out in hundreds. Moreover, many farms that were breeding the breed went bankrupt. As a result, the territories were bought up by entrepreneurs who are not at all interested in maintaining 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, their contribution to the preservation of the species cannot be called large, but it is present.
Thus, the Don breed of horses was directly involved in the history of Russia. Her contribution to the development of the country, protection from ill-wishers and enemy invaders should be called invaluable. And many characteristic features that mainly distinguish Don horses from other breeds make them useful in modern times. Therefore, it is important to maintain this view.