To distinguish between breeds of horses, there are several signs, one of which is the suit. This is not just the color of the animal, but a specific combination of colors and shades, the distribution of pigments due to genetics. The suit is determined by the color of the coat, as well as the color of the skin and eyes and is a hereditary parameter, although it manifests itself with age. In young individuals it is not yet visible.
One of the oldest is considered to be kaura suit. It is interesting to know what it represents, how it differs, where you can meet its representatives and much more.
From the history of appearance
It is believed that the kaura suit of modern horses came from the wild ancestors who lived on the planet a long time ago. Color owes its appearance to a gene called Dun. He, in turn, has a simultaneous effect on the black and red pigment in the animal’s hair, however, there is no effect on the color of the mane, tail and lower legs. Dun connects with the center gene responsible for the red color, in which case, the appearance of causticity appears.
In other words, three genes are responsible for the formation of the suit:
- Extentition - explains the black pigment, while it is recessive homozygous.
- Agouti - replaces black with white, occupies any position.
- Dun - brightens the coat, recessive or dominant.
The rock paintings of ancient people depicted horses of this particular color. For this reason, the suit is considered a sign of a primitive horse (i.e. wild).
Where did the name come from?
It is widely believed that the name of the suit comes from the word “brown”, and it, in turn, comes from the Turkic kara (“black”). In Russian, dark brown shades are commonly called karimi. But since there are also bright variations of kaura coloring, the presented theory is often criticized.
In Russian, the word "smoke" means to be sullen, stubborn and hated. Therefore, it is likely that the name of the suit was received not because of color, but because of the nature of wild horses. However, for the horses themselves, such a color is a vital necessity, helping to hide from enemies in the steppes and undergrowth. This became especially relevant for young animals, not yet able to withstand the attacks of predators.
Classification
Kaura suit, along with savras and mice, belongs to the group of zoned (or wild) horses. Previously, all three stripes belonged to wild horses, and nowadays they come across both domestic and native breeds.
During development, the wild horses that live in the forests and steppes acquired a light protective color, and those that lived in the forests became dark. Within one group, a division arose into:
- mousy (heirs to tarpan);
- Savrasuy;
- kauruyu (heirs of Przhevalsky horses).
All of them have the same wild features, but the main color of the coat is different. Kaurai is light red or sand in color. Therefore, often this color is also called the red-savras.
Sometimes the question arises of distinguishing between savras and red-savras colors. Often this boundary is really arbitrary. In red-Savras (kaury), the gradation of the colors of the wool is within the red color. That is, the body can be light or dark red, the mane and tail of the same color, more saturated in shade. Savras horses, on the other hand, have a body that can range from light sand to bright red, hair and lower legs are dark brown.
Micey and savras coloring are the most common. Kaura suit is rare, it is inherent mainly in zonal or wild animals. But this color is also found in domestic horses that did not fall under strict selection selection. No wonder the horses - the heroes of Russian fairy tales, who wore this color, were distinguished by a violent rebellious disposition.
Color characteristic
What color of horses is called kaura? The main colors of the presented suit are sandy, light sandy, brown-red. On the head and torso of a horse, hairs of different colors are mixed and exhibit various color combinations. Thanks to the gene, the coloration acquires a general tone orientation, however, the tail and mane look much brighter. As the horse grows older, the color brightens slightly, fades, signs of gray hair appear.
The body has a pale red color, the mane and tail are composed of a mixture of dark brown, red and light hairs. Marks - red-brown or dark red. It must be said that the latter trait is inherent in all horse breeds descended from wild ancestors. The color of “zebrainess” (horizontal stripes) is brown. So, now it’s clear what color is kaura.
In addition to age gray hair, the color of the horse varies depending on the season, becoming lighter in winter and darker in summer. This quality is inherent in all suits, without exception.
Colors of kauri suit
The described suit is represented by several options.
- The body of dark-brown individuals has a dark red color. Head and lower limbs are darker. The strip next to the ridge is chocolate. Dark red and dark brown locks are found in the mane and tail. "Zebra" (stripes on the legs) - brownish.
- Representatives have a light red torso, a red head and a dark red mane and tail. The “belt” (on the ridge) and strips at the hock joint are reddish-brown.
- Light-brown horses have a light body against a darker head. In the mane and tail - red and blond hair. "Zebra" and "belt" - a reddish tint. This variety is almost never found at racetracks or exhibitions, their lot is agriculture.
These are the main colors of the kauru horses.
Some features of color representatives
Kowai horses live no more than 30 years. The height and weight of the horse depends on the particular pedigree variety, as well as on compliance with the rules of care and provision of food. In conditions of better quality, the parameters of the horse are more impressive. On average, the height of the cows is 180 cm from the withers.
The weight of horses with a kauri suit is in the range of 500-1000 kg. For example, representatives of the Altai breed grow up to 1.5 m with a weight of 500 kg. And Soviet heavy trucks may well weigh 1000 kg with 2 meters of growth.
Kaury, like other equids, belong to herd animals, so they need to communicate with their own kind. Of course, not all breeders can afford to keep a herd. Therefore, sheep or goats are quite suitable.
Diet
Horses of kauri suit (photo is presented in the article), like other colors, feed on hay or oats. In summer, they walk in the pasture, consuming up to 100 kg of grass per day. In winter, they need more food. The exact volume is determined by the individual characteristics of the horse. The animal also needs water, which can drink about 65 liters.
An important feature of keeping horses is physical activity. In summer, the horses themselves "walk". However, with the onset of winter, the animal spends most of the time in the stall, so you need to take him out for a run for at least 4 hours a day.
In addition, the horse must be cleaned. Under natural conditions, the horse does this on his own, riding on the ground. At home, they wash the body of the animal and examine the hooves twice a day.
The mane protects the head and neck, it is also kept in a healthy condition. Teeth are checked once every six months. Hooves are forged every two months.
Where can I meet?
Brown individuals are rarely found in Russian cities. They can be seen among representatives of the Altai breed living in the mountains. There are brown individuals in Kazakhstan, as well as in Yakutia and Bashkiria. Sometimes they stand out among the heavy types of different breeds.
On American lands, brown individuals are found among mustangs and criollo. European kaury come across in the rocks of the Norwegian fjord, quarterhorse, appaloosa. The Norwegian fjord is one of the oldest breeds that fell into Scandinavia in the 4th millennium BC. e. In Iceland, the color represents the Icelandic pony.
Kaura suit (photo is presented in the article) is very spectacular, characterized by a wild color of red tones, transmitted to horses from distant ancestors. This suit cannot be confused with any other. The number of color representatives is limited. At exhibitions, they become real highlights of the event.
Since the suit is on the verge of extinction, the experts have a difficult question: how to save it?