This interesting animal represents one of the oldest horse breeds on Earth. The Yakut horse, the remains of which archaeologists discovered during excavations, appeared on our planet many millennia ago.
The range of their habitat in natural conditions is Chukotka and Yakutia. These are areas with a pronounced continental climate. In these areas, the air temperature in summer rises to +35 degrees, and in winter drops to -50.
From the history of the breed
According to the researchers, the Yakut breed of horses originated from wild tundra white horses and miraculously survived to this day.
Yakuts have been engaged in horse breeding since ancient times. This was first mentioned at the beginning of the 17th century, when the first Russian travelers appeared on the banks of the Lena River. Agriculture in these areas arose at the end of the 19th century.
The Yakuts always occupied territories that were convenient for cattle breeding — along river banks, valleys with meadow vegetation. To understand how important horse breeding was for this people, it is necessary to familiarize themselves with its customs. For example, after the death of a man, his horse was slaughtered, and meat was handed out to everyone who came to the funeral. Not a single wedding treat was complete without koumiss and horsemeat, while the guests of honor were offered the best pieces.
Yakut horse: structure, characteristics
These animals are well adapted to the harsh climate of the north. They feel great only in the region where they live in a natural environment. Many farmers from other regions tried to get a Yakut horse in their farm, but they are not able to realize their dream and breed these animals. At the same time, their special endurance and performance invariably attract the attention of specialists. Consider only some of the characteristics that representatives of this breed possess. So, this animal is capable of carrying a load of more than one hundred kilograms, it easily overcomes the distance of more than one hundred kilometers without visible signs of fatigue.
The Yakut breed of horses is distinguished by a short step. On a heavy snowy road with a length of 3,200 meters at a gallop, these animals pass in 5 minutes. Yakut horses are considered to be late-ripening, but durable - they reach full development only by the age of six. In breeding, they are used up to 25-27 years.
Physiological features
The Yakut horse perfectly adapted to the harsh conditions of the north. Amazing horses have their own biological characteristics. First of all, this is a reduction in energy consumption, supporting the vital activity of the animal in winter. This is achieved thanks to the following structural features:
- significant thickening of the skin;
- the formation of a layer of subcutaneous fat;
- thickening and lengthening of the coat.
In 1943, a breeding nursery was organized in the Verkhoyansk district. The purpose of its creation was the work to improve the Yakut horse. Repeated attempts have been made to cross these animals with other breeds. The results of these experiments did not affect the breed. This breed is protected by the harsh nature of Yakutia - other horses simply do not survive here. The figures also speak about this - in a herd of 150,000 animals, crossbreeds make up only 2%.
External differences
The description of the exterior of the Yakut horse breed can be seen in all veterinary directories. These animals have a rough, massive head, characteristic only for this breed, set on a thick and short neck.
In addition, they are distinguished by a very small height at the withers (not more than 136 cm), a straight and long back, a deflated croup, a deep and wide chest, and a thick mane.
By winter, the Yakut horse is covered with a thicker and longer coat. But not only it protects the animal from frost. The same function is performed by thick skin with a layer of fat. In winter, the hair grows up to 10 cm in length, the tail of the animal becomes thick and lush, it usually hangs to the ground, and the mane covers the neck, as well as the shoulders of the animal.
Shaggy Yakut horses have somewhat short front legs. Their formulation is correct, the hind limbs often have an X-shape. Hoofs of the correct form, strong.
Suit
The most common savrasai, gray, or flesh-colored suit. There are animals with agouti coloring. In this case, only the upper part of the hair is pigmented. In the north of Yakutia, gray horses are most often found. They turn gray early and by the age of four become almost white.
Using
The Yakut horse is widely used in the north of our country. The Yakut breed of horses gives people meat and koumiss (milk), and very socks and warm clothes are sewed from their fur. These small but hardy horses are used for transporting goods, as well as for riding. Yakuts go hunting them. For this, the animal is taken from the herd and "incubated" for two days. In fact, the horse is starving. She is tied to a pole quite short, so that she cannot bend. This is done so that the horse, quite well-fed and weaned from hard work, from the herd gets the right shape. After two or three days of fasting, she will easily endure a long jump. This kind of way the Yakuts have been used for many centuries.
The Yakut horse as a horse is not quite familiar even to an experienced rider. After all, it moves in very small steps, which is explained by the living conditions in places devoid of large open spaces where it would be possible to develop great speed. Therefore, as a riding horse, the Yakut horse is used only in its homeland.
The meat and dairy direction is a priority in breeding these animals. Their meat is considered a delicacy. It has a marble color and a special taste. In addition, it contains a lot of unsaturated fatty acids, which contribute to the removal of harmful cholesterol and greatly facilitate the condition of patients with anemia, tuberculosis and sclerosis.
The Yakuts also find use in the skins of these horses, making household items from them, from shoes to various mats. The wool of Yakut horses replaces sheep among the peoples of the North , they make felt boots from it, make threads from which very warm clothes are knitted.
Not only specialists, but also ordinary citizens are interested in the Yakut horse breed. Horses and ponies (animals with a height at the withers of less than 113 cm, which are born in the course of natural selection without human intervention) are very popular in zoos and circuses in our country. Unfortunately, in the middle zone and southern regions they take root extremely rarely.
Maintenance and care
Even in severe winter conditions, the Yakut horse lives in the open air. In summer, animals graze at temperatures up to +30 ° , and in winter up to -50 ° .
They seek food on their own and even in severe frost they are able to feed on grass, which is obtained from under the snow. In Yakutia, the snow is not too deep. Therefore, horses rake his hooves and get to the grass. This grazing is called "black shit". With the onset of spring, horses are transferred to the southern slopes of the hills, where the climate is milder and snow melts faster. Closer to summer, animals are distilled into open areas. Only work horses, most often geldings, receive hay as a top dressing in the winter. They are usually kept in pens.
We have already said that these animals do not differ in outstanding performance, but they also participate in competitions in playfulness and strength, where they show completely comic results. So, yachts harnessed to a sled with a load of 350 kg along a snowy road covered a distance of 650 km in 16 days. They overcome a shorter distance (1630 m) under the light rider in the winter in 2 minutes and 56 seconds. In fairness, it must be said that the participants in these competitions, in addition to hay, received oats.
Insect protection
In the summer, the Yakut horses lose weight greatly, as countless mosquitoes and midges prevent them from grazing normally. To protect animals, the locals burn special smoke in the villages, which scare away flies and mosquitoes with smoke.
Yakut horse: price
Many dream to buy a Yakut horse. These are hardy and quick-witted animals that are well oriented on rough terrain. In addition, these shaggy horses are simply adorable. Today, for many, this dream can come true, since the head of Yakutia, E. Borisov, has allowed the export of these amazing animals to other regions in order to improve the breed. Sale is not everywhere, but only at special breeding plants. For example, you can buy a horse at GUSP Bashplemservis, located in the Republic of Bashkortostan.
Surely the question of value is of interest to everyone who wants to buy such an animal. We will present you indicative prices as they are subject to change now. For example, a stallion 6-7 years old costs 80 thousand rubles. An 8-year-old mare will cost the same amount, a two-year-old foal costs 60 thousand rubles, and a one-year-old costs 40 thousand rubles.
Breed development
Today in Yakutia three types of Yakut horses have formed:
- Northern (Verkhoyansk and Srednekolymskaya horses);
- southern - smaller animals that were not crossed with other breeds of horses;
- southern large type.
In 2011, a new one was officially introduced - the Mezhezek variety of Yakut horses at the them. S. Vasilieva.