Description of rare and unusual horse breeds, the most beautiful and extinct species

The horse population is considered to be uneven. The number of these animals depends on many factors. A significant reduction in livestock is due to the mechanization of all sectors of the economy. Some species have completely disappeared due to the reduction in their working use, while the second ones have become much less common. To preserve rare breeds of horses, special clubs are opened and appropriate laws are passed at the state level.

The rarest and most beautiful horse breeds

Today there are many rare horse breeds that have excellent decorative characteristics.

Shire

This is an old English breed. Its representatives are quite large in size. Today, these horses are used when great strength and endurance are required. They are considered real heavy trucks. Therefore, such animals are often used in traction competitions.

Newfoundland pony

These small animals are native to the island of Newfoundland. Their ancestors are horses brought from the British Isles. Adults do not exceed 140 centimeters in height. At present, their population is no more than 400 heads. The breed is considered a national treasure and was included in the Red Book of Canada.

Hackne

This is an English breed, which is derived from local individuals, Arab and Spanish horses. Horses have been known since the fourteenth century. They were originally used for horse riding. Subsequently, the horses were improved and became known as the Norfolk. The new massif became the base for breeding the Hackne breed.

The growth of these animals at the withers reaches 147-168 centimeters. They have a bay or black color and many markings. The gait is considered springy, and during the trot the animals raise their legs high.

Caspian

This is one of the most ancient breeds. For a long time it was considered lost. However, in 1965, during an expedition to Iran, unusual undersized animals were found. Since then, work has been underway to restore the breed.

The average height of animals at the withers reaches 117 centimeters. There is a pronounced ridge on the head. It is located on the parietal bone. Many individuals have a pair of extra teeth. There are noticeable spinous processes on the thoracic vertebrae.

Cleveland bay

This first English breed was produced in Yorkshire. Initially, it was bred as a pack variety.However, over time, the animals became draft animals and became widespread among traders. The color became a distinctive feature of the breed. The animals have an exceptionally bay color. The decrease in the number of livestock is due to the massive mechanization of production. After World War II, this process only accelerated. In 1962, there were literally 4 breeding stallions.

To restore the animal population, the help of Queen Elizabeth II was needed. Today there are 550 of these horses. The growth of animals at the withers is 163-168 centimeters. They are characterized by a large head and short, well-muscled limbs. Only bay horses are entered into the studbook, although most breeders prefer a light color.

Colonial Spanish

This breed has become a cross between different types of horses - mainly from the Iberian Peninsula. In the seventeenth century, there were more than 10 thousand heads of such horses. However, most of them ran wild and mixed with representatives of other breeds. As a result, horses turned into mustangs. At present, the number of breeding individuals is no more than a few hundred. Horses do not exceed 137-142 centimeters at the withers. Moreover, their live weight is 320-360 kilograms.

Animals are characterized by a straight profile. The upper jaw is longer than the lower one. They can be of any suit.

American cream

This is a young breed that comes from one representative. She was the mare Granny, which was bought by an American farmer in 1911. Externally, she belongs to the category of heavy draft horses. However, the pedigree cannot be reliably traced.

After covering the mare with black percheron, we managed to get a cream-colored stallion. Breeding began with him. At the end of the fifties of the last century, the number of cream heavy trucks was more than 200 individuals. However, the breed did not become popular.

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The height at the withers is 152-170 centimeters. The weight of animals reaches 680-850 kilograms. The creamy coat color is associated with the action of the Champagne gene.

Falabella

Representatives of this breed are characterized by small sizes. Their height is a maximum of 50 centimeters. In terms of body structure, animals resemble ordinary horses, and in size - 2-3 times smaller. They have a friendly character, are great for children and can be used to teach kids how to ride.

Sorraya

The name of the breed comes from 2 rivers - Sor and Raya. They took place in the habitat of animals - in Portugal. Animals are distinguished by their modest appearance, gray color and small stature. Today the breed is on the verge of extinction. Therefore, many breeders are trying to breed these animals in order to preserve a rare species.

Akhal-Teke

Representatives of this rare and beautiful breed were obtained more than 5000 years ago. They owe their appearance to the Turkmen tribes. Animals differ significantly from other breeds in appearance. They are characterized by thin skin through which the blood vessels are visible.

The hair also has a fine and silky texture.

Horses are characterized by a sparse mane, which is not cut during their life. Common colors include black, bay, gray and red. There is also a dun and brown wool. A characteristic feature is the presence of a silvery and golden sheen.

Unusual types of horses

There are many unusual horse breeds that differ from other animals in appearance.

American curly horse

These animals are characterized by a thick and fluffy coat. Thanks to this, they are able to withstand extreme temperature drops of up to -40 degrees. These horses were first discovered in America in 1898. It happened in the mountains of Nevada.

Arab thoroughbred horse

This breed was developed in the Arabian Peninsula. This happened in the 4th-7th centuries AD. To this day, these animals are used to organize horse races and races. They are enduring and have good health. Animals are characterized by low weight and height, but this does not prevent them from carrying an adult on themselves over a distance of 160 kilometers.

Knabstrupper

It is a rare breed that is native to Denmark. The original color is considered a characteristic feature of the horses. This is a Dalmatian horse.

Pintabian

This is a rare breed that has a two-tone color. She was bred in 1992. There are no more than 300 such animals in the world. They trace their origin from Arabian horses.

Friesian horse

It is one of the most attractive and original breeds in the world. Friesian horses are large and elegant in appearance. They can be exclusively black. Sometimes friezes are called black pearls. Today, these horses are bred exclusively for decorative purposes. They do not take part in any competition.

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Percheron

They are powerful and muscular horses. At the same time, they are distinguished by a calm, affectionate and friendly character.

Missouri foxtrotter

This horse breed was developed in Missouri. These horses are characterized by a muscular body, powerful constitution and a special gait. Horses can trot like a fox. In this case, the front legs move with a step, and the hind legs - at a trot.

Anglo-Norman horse

It is a strong and resilient animal that is versatile. It is permissible to use horses for riding, in harness, for carriage.

Cuban pacers

This is a relatively young breed that is developing and improving today. Horses are characterized by a small, neat head and a long neck. The horses are distinguished by a noble color and a muscular body. They are characterized by ease of care and breeding.

Cuban pacers are distinguished by unpretentiousness in nutrition, rarely encounter diseases and have an obedient character.

Extinct Breeds

There are many extinct animals today. The most famous are the following:

1. Tarpan. He is considered the ancestor of modern horses. These animals lived in modern Europe - in the center and in the southeast. They also met in some regions of Russia. They were small horses with humped noses, lush mane and thick hair. They also had a small tail. Tarpans lived in herds and were very cautious. The animals were exterminated by human hands. The last representative of the breed died in 1918.
2. Quagga. These animals lived in South Africa. The horses had a striped head color, like a zebra. The rest of the body was bay. The natives managed to teach these animals to guard the herds. When the predators approached, the quagga immediately gave a voice. This helped people keep their pets. Along with this, horses were hunted. This was due to the high strength of their skins. The last individuals died in the middle of the nineteenth century.
3. Bityug. These Russian heavy trucks appeared in the eighteenth century. They were bred in Russia by crossing heavy trucks with imported Dutch and Danish horses. Bitugs were large in size, therefore they were very popular with peasants. They are often used in agriculture. In the nineteenth century, animals began to disappear gradually. Breeders associate this process with mixing the blood of Bityugs with other breeds.
4. Hagerman horse. These animals were among the oldest representatives of the genus. This species appeared 3.5 million years ago. He was a small horse that resembled zebras in appearance. Scientists have found that horses became extinct 10 thousand years ago.They attribute this to climate change.
5. Drykgants. This is the most mysterious breed, the existence of which has no precise confirmation. It is believed that drykhants were a Belarusian-Polish variety of horses, which disappeared in the sixteenth or seventeenth century. These horses were distinguished by their loyalty and endurance. Therefore, they often took part in battles and military campaigns.