Russian Heavy Draft
Encyclopedia
The Russian Heavy Draft is a draft horse
developed in the Soviet Union
, that was officially registered in 1952.
that is tolerant of the cold, and has been known to be able to pull more weight (relative to its body mass) than any of the other breeds developed during the Soviet period. These horses reach physical maturity at an earlier date than most horse
s. Breeding stallion
s are usually 150 cm at the withers
.
was officially registered in 1952. It was developed by crossing Russian mares with warmblood
and draft horse
s, such as the Orlov Trotter
, Percheron
, and the (Belgian) Ardennes breeds, which was introduced into the Russian Heavy Draft in the mid-1880s. The Russian Heavy Draft has been used to improve agricultural stock. This breed is also known for its good capacities at producing milk, which is fermented (in Russian it is called kumys). Breed records and information are kept by the All-Russian Institute of Horsebreeding (VNIIK). Dr. Irina Sorokina has long been in charge of draft breeds there.
Draft horse
A draft horse , draught horse or dray horse , less often called a work horse or heavy horse, is a large horse bred for hard, heavy tasks such as ploughing and farm labour...
developed in the Soviet Union
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
, that was officially registered in 1952.
Characteristics
The Russian Heavy Draft is usually short and muscular, with thick manes and tails and legs that are lightly feathered. This breed is known for having excellent traction when pulling weight because of its short legs. The Russian Heavy Draft has a neck that is thick and well crested, and has a docile temperament. It is agile and energetic, and is good for rough terrain. It is an easy keeperEasy keeper
An easy keeper, easy doer or good doer is a livestock animal that can live on relatively little food. The opposite of an easy keeper is a hard keeper , an animal that is prone to be too thin and has difficulty maintaining adequate weight.Easy keepers tend to be found most often in breeds...
that is tolerant of the cold, and has been known to be able to pull more weight (relative to its body mass) than any of the other breeds developed during the Soviet period. These horses reach physical maturity at an earlier date than most horse
Horse
The horse is one of two extant subspecies of Equus ferus, or the wild horse. It is a single-hooved mammal belonging to the taxonomic family Equidae. The horse has evolved over the past 45 to 55 million years from a small multi-toed creature into the large, single-toed animal of today...
s. Breeding stallion
Stallion
A Stallion is a male horse.Stallion may also refer to:* Stallion , an American pop rock group* Stallion , a figure in the Gobot toyline* Stallion , a character in the console role-playing game series...
s are usually 150 cm at the withers
Withers
The withers is the ridge between the shoulder blades of a four-legged animal. In many species it is the tallest point of the body, and in horses and dogs it is the standard place to measure the animal's height .-Horses:The withers in horses are formed by the dorsal spinal processes of roughly the...
.
History
The Russian Heavy Draft horseHorse
The horse is one of two extant subspecies of Equus ferus, or the wild horse. It is a single-hooved mammal belonging to the taxonomic family Equidae. The horse has evolved over the past 45 to 55 million years from a small multi-toed creature into the large, single-toed animal of today...
was officially registered in 1952. It was developed by crossing Russian mares with warmblood
Warmblood
Warmbloods are a group of middle-weight horse types and breeds, primarily originating in Europe, registered with organizations that are characterized by open studbook policy, studbook selection, and the aim of breeding for equestrian sport...
and draft horse
Draft horse
A draft horse , draught horse or dray horse , less often called a work horse or heavy horse, is a large horse bred for hard, heavy tasks such as ploughing and farm labour...
s, such as the Orlov Trotter
Orlov Trotter
The Orlov Trotter is a horse breed with a hereditary fast trot, noted for its outstanding speed and stamina. It is the most famous Russian horse. The breed was developed in Russia in the late 18th century by Count Alexei Orlov at his Khrenovskoy Stud farm near the town of Bobrov...
, Percheron
Percheron
The Percheron is a breed of draft horse that originated in the Perche valley in northern France. Percherons are usually gray or black in color. They are well-muscled, and known for their intelligence and willingness to work. Although their exact origins are unknown, the ancestors of the breed were...
, and the (Belgian) Ardennes breeds, which was introduced into the Russian Heavy Draft in the mid-1880s. The Russian Heavy Draft has been used to improve agricultural stock. This breed is also known for its good capacities at producing milk, which is fermented (in Russian it is called kumys). Breed records and information are kept by the All-Russian Institute of Horsebreeding (VNIIK). Dr. Irina Sorokina has long been in charge of draft breeds there.