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ABOUT LITHUANIAN’S HEAVY WEIGHT HORSES
Zemaitukai is a very old
breed. About 700 hundred years ago they were mentioned
in the source books. They are universal horses used
for farm work, riding and tourism.
In the Middle Ages they
were the best fighting horses in the world. Zemaitukai
are 128-142 cm tall, the chest is about 165-180 cm
wide, the length of the body is 136-148 cm, a
handbreadth is 17-18 cm, its weight is 360-420 kg.
Most often they are grey, black or bay.
The horses are resistant
to infections, non-fastidious about forage, they are
long-lived, strong and obedient.
Thanks to enthusiasts
and breeders there were 110 pureblooded horses in
Lithuania in 2001. As the number of the horses is very
small, this breed is protected as invaluable genetic
fund.
When agricultural
machines appeared in the 19th century a powerful large
horse was needed. 16 various breeds were brought to
Lithuania for improving a local breed. Interbreeding
Sweden Ardennes Stallion with local mares and later
crossing among themselves, large massive horses were
bred. In 1963 Lithuania’s Heavy Weight breed was
confirmed. Now they make 80 % of all purebred horses
in Lithuania.
The horse’s height is
157.4 cm, the chest is 197.3 cm, the handbreadth is
24.3 cm. The grown-up stallions weigh 700 kg, mares -
645 kg. The horses are tough, muscular and strong;
most often light bay, sometimes bay, good-natured,
reproductive and long-lived.
Due to valuable
reproductive characteristics and good acclimatization
they are used for improving other breeds in various
regions of Russia, Ukraine, Byelorussia, Kazakhstan,
Lithuania’s Heavy Weight horses were exported to
China, Korea and Mongolia.
Materials:
1. E. Danilevicius. “Oh
Stallion, Stallion”. - V., 1986.
2. S. Svetlauskas. “Each
horse is necessary”.
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