...and on the eighth day God created the horse in perfect image, to romp, graze, gallop, play and make manure wherever it darn well pleases, in divine grace.
Two European heavy breeds to be discussed this week, starting with the Murakozi Draft.
The Murakozi was developed in the 19th and 20th centuries in the Mura River region of southern Hungary. (1)
It is descended from crossing native Hungarian mares with Percheron, Noriker and Ardennais stallions, along with some Arabian blood brought in at a later stage, giving it a better look.
The Murakozi Draft is strong, fast and reliable.
It is also an easy keep.
These qualities combined together, making it a good pick for the military, and was popular for hauling artillery and performing mounted cavalry duties before and during WWI.
It was used for farming and agricultural work, as well.
Between the two World Wars, there was an increase in farming and agriculture in Hungary and neighboring Poland, so the Murakozi was bred in larger numbers.
Losses to the breed during WWII were devastating, and after the war, mechanization set in, rendering the role of the Murakozi to near obsolete.
However, it is still often used for agriculture and farming work in central and eastern Europe.
It is considered a cold blood, coming in at 16HH. The colors are bay, black, brown, gray and liver chestnut with flaxen mane and tail.
It works best in temperate climates and has a generally willing disposition.
The head is plain on a short, muscular neck, with powerful shoulders and compact body.
Its legs are short and strong, with a small amount of feathering.
The North Swedish Horse is a fairly new breed, with the stud book only being established in 1909. (2)
It is descended from the ancient “Forest Horse,” and over the years genetics from Oldenburg and
Friesian stallions, along with other heavy European breeds, have been added.
Blood from “Dole Gudbrandsdal,” a specialist harness racing breed from out of Norway, was also added, it having a similar ancestry line to that of the North Swedish Horse.
After the stud book had been established, breeding of the animals was more strictly controlled in an effort to preserve the breed characteristics.
It is known for longevity, courage and good temperament, along with great strength for its size.
This breed is very well suited to the harsh winters in Sweden and seems to be resistant to most equine diseases.
After the second World War, its numbers declined significantly, due to the onset of mechanization.
It is still used in forestry work and a lighter-built trotter line is the only cold-blooded harness racer in the world.
The North Swedish Horse is considered a cold blood, coming in at 15HH to 15.2HH.
Its colors are all solid, duns, chestnuts and browns and it is used for light draft work, harness work, and forestry and logging.
The temperament is willing and even. The features are pony-like, with a nice head and short-crested neck on a long body. The back is strong, with sloping shoulders coming down to short, strong legs.
There is some minor feathering on the fetlocks.
That is all for now.
Leaving you with the immortal words of Roy Rogers and Dale Evans,
“Happy Trails to You.”
1,2: “A Pocket Guide to Horses and Ponies,” by Corinne Clark