Yakut horse: characteristics, breeding and necessary diet

This most interesting animal represents one of the oldest breeds of horses 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. This is an area with a pronounced continental climate. In these areas, the air temperature in summer rises to +35 degrees, and in winter it 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 the present day.

Yakuts have long been engaged in horse breeding. This was first mentioned in the beginning of the 17th century, when the first Russian travelers appeared on the banks of the Lena River. Agriculture in these areas arose in the late XIX century.

The Yakuts always occupied territories that were convenient for cattle breeding - along the banks of rivers, valleys with meadow vegetation. To understand how important horsepower was for this people, it is necessary to get acquainted with its customs. For example, after the death of a man his horse was stabbed, and meat was distributed to everyone who came to the funeral. None of the wedding treats did not do without koumiss and horse meat, while the honored guests 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 on their farm, but they could not realize their dream and breed these animals. At the same time, their special endurance and working capacity invariably attract the attention of specialists. Let us consider only some of the characteristics that the representatives of this breed possess. So, this animal is able to carry a load of more than a hundred kilograms, it easily overcomes a distance of more than a hundred kilometers without visible signs of fatigue.

The Yakut breed of horses is distinguished by a short step. On a heavy snowy road length of 3,200 meters at a gallop, these animals pass for 5 minutes. Yakut horses are considered late-ripening, but durable - they reach full development only by six years. In breeding, they are used up to 25-27 years.

Physiological features

The severe conditions of the north were perfectly adapted by the Yakut horse. Amazing horses have their own biological characteristics. First of all, this is a reduction in energy consumption, which supports the vital activity of the animal in winter. This is achieved due to the following structural features:

• Significant thickening of the skin;
• Formation of a layer of subcutaneous fat;
• Thickening and lengthening of the coat.

In 1943, a breeding ground was established in the Verkhoyansk district. The purpose of its creation was to improve the Yakut horse. Numerous attempts have been made to mate these animals with other breeds. The results of these experiments had no effect on the rock. This breed is protected by the harsh nature of Yakutia - other horses here simply do not survive. This is indicated by the figures - in the number of livestock numbers of 150 000 animals, only 2% make up a cross.

External differences

Description of the ex-terrier of the Yakut breed of a horse can be seen in all veterinary reference books. These animals have a coarse, massive head characteristic of this breed, planted on a thick and short neck.

In addition, they differ very little height at the withers (no more than 136 cm), straight and long back, crooked croup, deep and broad chest, thick mane.

By winter, the Yakut horse is covered with a thicker and longer coat. But not only it protects the animal from frosts. This function is also performed by a thick skin with a layer of fat. In winter, the wool grows to 10 cm in length, the tail of the animal becomes thick and lush, usually it hangs down to the ground, and the mane covers the neck, as well as the shoulders of the animal.

Shaggy Yakut horses have several short front legs. Their setting is correct, hind legs often have an X-shape. Hoofs are of regular shape, strong.

Suit

The most common is sabras, gray or mousse. 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 common. They grow gray early and by the age of four they have become almost white.

Using

The Yakut horse is widely used in the north of our country. The Yakut breed of horses gives man meat and koumiss (milk), and very warm and warm clothes are made from their fur. These small, but hardy horses are used for the transport of goods, as well as for riding. The Yakuts go hunting on them. For this, the animal is taken from the herd and two days are "kept". In fact, the horse starves. She is tied to the post quite shortly, so she can not bend over. This is done so that a rather well-fed and weaned from hard work horse from the herd has acquired the desired form. After two or three days off, it will easily endure a long jump. This unique way of the Yakuts has been used for many centuries.

The Yakut horse as a horse is not quite familiar even for an experienced rider. After all, it moves in very small steps, which is explained by the living conditions in places without large spaces, where one could develop a 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 the breeding of these animals. Their meat is considered a delicacy. It has a marble color and a special taste. In addition, it has many unsaturated fatty acids that contribute to the removal of harmful cholesterol and significantly relieve the condition of patients with anemia, tuberculosis and sclerosis.

Yakuts find use and skins of these horses, making them utensils, ranging from shoes and ending with a variety of mats. The wool of the Yakut horses replaces the sheep from the peoples of the north , from it are made felt boots, make threads, from which very warm things are knit.

Not only specialists, but ordinary citizens are interested in the Yakut breed of horses. Horses and ponies (animals, height at the withers less than 113 cm, which are born during natural selection without human participation) are very much in demand in zoos and circuses of our country. Unfortunately, in the middle lane and southern regions, they take root very rarely.

Maintenance and care

Even in a harsh winter, the Yakut horse lives in the open air. In summer, animals graze at temperatures up to +30 ° C, and in winter to -50 ° C.

They are looking for food on their own and are even able to feed on grass, which they extract from the snow, even in a fierce frost. In Yakutia, the snow is not too deep. Therefore, his horses are raked by hoofs and reach the grass. This pasta is called "tebyenovka." With the onset of the spring, horses are transferred to the southern slopes of the hills, where the climate is softer and the snow descends more quickly. Closer to summer animals are driven to open places. Only working horses, most often geldings, receive hay in winter as a feeding. They are usually kept in pens.

We have already said that the outstanding work capacity of these animals do not differ, but they also participate in competitions in speed and strength, where they show absolutely no comic results. So, harnessed in a sleigh with a cargo of 350 kg along a snow-covered road, the Yakuts passed a distance of 650 km in 16 days. A shorter distance (1630 m) under a light rider in winter time they overcome in 2 minutes and 56 seconds. For the sake of justice, it must be said that participants in these competitions received oats besides hay.

Protection against insects

In the summer, Yakut horses are very thin, since it is normal for them to be ridden by countless mosquitoes and gnats. To protect animals, local people burn special smoke in the villages, which scare away the smoke of flies and mosquitoes.

Yakut horse: price

Many people dream of buying a Yakut horse. They are hardy and quick-witted animals that are perfectly oriented on rough terrain. In addition, these hairy horses are simply adorable. Today, for many, this dream can come true, as the head of Yakutia E. Borisov allowed to export these amazing animals to other regions in order to improve the breed. The sale is not carried out anywhere, but only at special breeding plants. For example, you can buy a horse in the GUSP "Bashplemservis", located in the Republic of Bashkortostan.

For sure, the question of value is of interest to everyone who wants to acquire such an animal. We will provide you with estimated prices, as they can now change. For example, a stallion of 6-7 years old costs 80 thousand rubles. In the same amount will cost an 8-year-old mare, a foal-two-year-old costs 60 thousand rubles, and a one-year-old - 40 thousand rubles.

Development of the breed

Today in Yakutia three kinds of Yakut horses were formed:

• Northern (Verkhoyansk and Kolyma);
• Southern - smaller animals that were not crossed with other breeds of horses;
• Southern large type.

In 2011, a new - Megazhka variety of Yakut horses was officially introduced at the stud farm named after. S. Vasilyeva.