For a long time already horses have ceased to play a significant role in the life of mankind, like some one hundred years ago. Powerful trucks and a variety of agricultural machinery drove out the four-legged workers. Nevertheless, they have a place in modern times, some breeds do not lose their popularity. These include the Shetland pony. It is one of the most numerous breeds in the world. They are common in Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, America.

Pony

Pony belongs to the subspecies. Translated from the Gali ponaidh - a small horse. A distinctive feature of the subspecies is small growth. V different countries under "small" different values ​​are taken:

• in Russia, ponies include horses up to 110 cm in height;
• in Germany - up to 120 cm;
• in England - 147.3 cm;
• in the West, they include individuals whose height does not exceed 152 cm.

The discrepancy in numbers does not prevent "donuts" from staying at the peak of their popularity. Each owner chooses a horse according to their needs. Someone needs a tiny little one, as a pet - only for "kissing", and someone plans to compete.

Origin

The Shetland Archipelago separates the North Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. It is the northernmost land in the British Isles. The archipelago has 117 reefs and islands, only 24 of them are inhabited. Deserted hills without trees, harsh climate, sparse vegetation, wetlands, dampness, constant winds - this is how you can describe the place of "birth" of the breed called "Shetland pony".

There is no absolutely exact information about the origin of the breed. They were first discovered in 500 BC. According to scientists, these are possible descendants of "tundra" ponies. They could have come to Scotland from Scandinavia ten thousand years ago.

According to another version, back in the 1st-4th centuries, ponies were brought to the islands by the Picts (the most ancient inhabitants of Scotland). At that time, the territory was covered with forests, they completely disappeared in the 9th-10th centuries due to climate change. Few animals managed to survive in such conditions: sheep, field mice, hedgehogs and Shetland ponies. Growth, endurance, strength of the constitution - these are the characteristics of centuries-old natural selection. Isolation facilitated natural breeding of the breed “in itself”. Attempts to bring ordinary horses to the archipelago were unsuccessful.

Description

The Shetland pony (described below) has a recognizable appearance, reminiscent of miniature draft trucks. A thoroughbred representative must have the following characteristics:

• height at the withers - 65-110 cm;
• weight - up to 200 kg;
• the constitution is strong;
• the head is small, proportional,
• wide forehead;
• the profile is straight, it can be concave or crooked (both options are undesirable);
• eyes are large, widely spaced ("magpie" is undesirable, may be of different colors);
• small mouth;
• wide nostrils;
• ears set correctly, small;
• the neck is muscular, with a high output;
• the body is wide;
• the chest is well developed, wide, deep;
• sagging belly, voluminous;
• the back is wide, short, muscular;
• straight croup;
• bony legs, strong, short:

Front: without interceptions, correctly set, with a developed carpal joint;

Hindquarters: Correctly set ("O" and "X" -shaped positions are undesirable), well-defined hock joint, developed metatarsus, dry;

• hooves - round in shape, with a hard hoof horn (as a rule, animals are not forged);
• coat - thick undercoat, long hair;
• the tail and mane are lush;
• suit - the most diverse, often piebald (purebred, mostly black);
• life expectancy is 30-40 years, the recorded record is 54 years.

Breeding is no different from normal horses. Due to the small size of the mares, the presence of a veterinarian at the delivery is desirable. One or two foals are born. The selection of animals is carried out taking into account the rules for breeding farm animals. The Shetland pony is a very strong horse, in terms of live weight, they are able to carry twice as much cargo than their tall counterparts.

Peculiarities

Animals of this breed have their own characteristics:

• high life expectancy;
• character is bold and very independent;
• have a sharp mind and quick wit;
• easy to train (bad habits also catch on the fly);
• may be stubborn;
• very hardy;
• prone to obesity;
• blue-eyed individuals are often found (earlier they were called white-eyes);
• do not differ in great agility and grace of movements;
• they have a rough coat, long tails and a mane;
• selection according to working qualities, without taking into account other characteristics, provided a variety of colors in the breed.

While the foal is small and looks more like a plush toy, inexperienced owners make a serious mistake, pampering their pets. An adult uncontrollable three-year-old pony weighing 200 kg and rearing up to 2 meters in height will become a problem. The severity of education must be present without fail. It is necessary to demand complete and unconditional obedience for any action on the part of a person (cleaning a horse or cleaning a stall).

Another nuance is riding under the saddle. A small horse with round sides is so nimble that it is almost impossible to stay on it. Experienced horse breeders first drive the young animals into the cart. Having accustomed to obey the occasion and the voice commands of the ponies (after about a month), they calmly call in under the top.

Breeding

Despite the immense popularity and demand for small horses, the question of the cleanliness of animals for many years was not included in the circle of interests of horse breeders. Nobody was involved in the Shetland pony breed. Breeding with correct breeding selection began only in 1870. Big amateur horses Lord Londonderry on the island of Bressay (Shetland archipelago) founded a stud farm for breeding ponies. Experts carried out the most severe selection to secure characteristic features and the conformation type of horses.

The established Shetland Pony Breeding Society included in the first volume of the studbook of the Londonderry breeders. Although the business closed in 1899 due to the decline in demand for ponies, there are still many modern champions the breeds have in their pedigree famous sires of the plant.

Until the nineteenth century, breeding was carried out "clean" without the infusion of someone else's blood. The desire to use ponies as riding horses has given horse breeders the task of increasing the growth of animals. The result of the work was the emergence of several intra-breed types, or offspring:

• Samberg In the middle of the century, on the Somberg Peninsula and the southern coast of Mainland, Shetland pony mares were covered with Norwegian fjord stallions. The height at the withers of the offspring reached 130 cm.
• Fitlarskoe. Application of the method of reproductive crossing with the hatching Arabian stallion (he was a descendant of the legendary Bolivar). The hybrids grew up to 120 cm.
• American Shetland. They were obtained as a result of crossing first Shetland mares with stallions of the Hackne breed, then by infusing the blood of the Arabian and breeds. Height at withers up to 130 cm.

Such human intervention has led to the division of the breed into two classes:

• "A", or basic type (main), includes animals up to 107 cm;
• "B", or refined type - animals from 107 to 120 cm at the withers.

The late 19th - early 20th centuries were marked by the massive export of ponies to all countries of the world. The livestock outside the UK is many times greater than the number of horses in their historic homeland.

No dampness, no drafts, dry litter, high-quality feed, pure water, daily exercise - such are the requirements for keeping horses Shetland ponies. No care required special conditions... On the contrary, horses are unpretentious, hardy, they can stay on pastures for the maximum possible time. Thick wool is sheared in stables. The friendly nature of the animals allows you to keep two animals in one stall (size 3 m by 4 m).

It is preferable that the basis of the diet is hay or pasture grass, oats sometimes cause an allergic reaction. They are cleaned as they become dirty, with a stable keeping - daily. Usually ponies do not need to be forged. The veterinary treatment is the same as for normal horses.

Usage

The Shetland pony is widely used in equestrian sports, and not only in children. In 1960, Little Model competed in dressage at the Olympics in Rome, and in Mexico City in 1968, Stroller took silver in show jumping. The height of both horses was within 145 cm.

Ponies are frequent participants in circus performances, they are used in riding schools, rentals. Many animal lovers keep them as pets. The brilliant mind and excellent reaction of the little ones allow them to work as guides for the blind. In Holland, they still do not abandon small workers and cultivate vegetable plantations with their help.

Homeland horse breed Clydesdale is United Kingdom (Scotland). Scottish heavy trucks were used in large quantities in the agricultural field, due to their ability to work hard.

When determining the purebredness of an animal, the hind ones are especially carefully considered. It's bad when they are too flat and thin. The hooves of the Clydesdale horse breed should be large, slightly flattened and flexible. Ossification of the hooves is unacceptable according to the standard of this breed.

The forehead of purebred individuals of this horse breed should be narrow and small. The muzzle has large, open nostrils, movable ears and beautiful eyes, but it should be long and even, and the back is straight and short. Clydesdale horses are very stocky, graceful and strong. With all its appearance, the animal shows its boundless power and beauty.

Clydesdale horse

In spite of high growth animal, its stockiness and developed (musculature), it is incredibly mobile. The gait of the Clydesdale horses is light, free and playful. Most often, this breed is found in a bay color, with white markings on the legs. Legs from knee joints up to the hooves of the horse are covered with thick creeping fur, which gives the impression of a sock.

For horses of the Clydesdale breed to show outstanding working capacity, endurance and mature quickly, it is important for them to be well fed and carefully looked after. Without proper attention to them, animals quickly become neglected and unkempt.

The breed got such an interesting name thanks to the local river Clade, which later flows into the North Sea. In the Middle Ages, the area where this river flows was famous for its powerful and strong horses, which at that time were considered wild.

Scottish heavy truck

Origin

The immediate birth of the breed was recorded in the first half of the 18th century. At that time, Flemish stallions were imported to Scotland to improve local strong mares.

The ancestors of the thoroughbred horses of the Clydesdale were Black Horses, which were supplied to Scotland from the central part of the United Kingdom. Their participation in the formation of the Scottish Heavy Duty became key, and in the 19th century the Clydesdale breed got its full-fledged beginning.

These thoroughbred horses were the first in the United Kingdom to receive so much attention. This was enough to open a specialized organization.

At the end of the 19th century, these thoroughbred horses began to be massively imported, including to the South, North America, Russia, Australia. Until now, Clydesdale horses are, in fact, the only representatives of the Scottish and New Zealand lands. In the Scottish agricultural segment, these horses still play important role... Their labor is appreciated, and is massively used on many farms.

Clydesdale horses are native to Scotland. They belong to the heavily harnessed species, they are real giants of the equestrian world. The main use of animals is hard work in the field and transportation of goods.

History of the breed

Scotland has long been famous for its strong working horses, which in the Middle Ages lived in the small town of Upperward, where the Clade River flows. At the beginning of the 18th century, Duke Hamilton IV decided to improve the local horses by crossing mares with Flemish stallions brought from Holland.

The descendants of these horses had good traits - they were larger and stronger, and were in good health. The 18th century is the period of the highest heyday of the Clydesdale horse breed. The updated type is so much to our liking local residents that they were willing to pay owners of thoroughbred stallions for the opportunity to have mares with them.

Over time, the breed has become popular not only in Scotland, but also in neighboring European countries. In 1878, a stud book was started. The development of the breed was influenced by British heavy trucks shire. Their blood was infused in order to make local horses even larger and more powerful.

In the period from the late 18th to the early 19th century, about 20,000 Clydesdale heads were removed from the country, so the demand for these tireless and strong horses increased. The best stallions and mares were sent not only to Europe, but also to Australia and America. There, Scottish Drafts were used to improve other breed lines.

The first World War caused serious damage to the Clydesdale population. Massive and strong animals served the needs of the army. Immediately after its completion, technical progress developed rapidly. Now machines could do the hard work, and interest in hardworking horses was gone.

A significant part of the population was exterminated during the war, and the remaining horses were used for meat or simply set free, since it was expensive to keep them. The livestock declined sharply, then the Clydesdale breed was ranked as an endangered species..

Thanks to the joint efforts of enthusiastic breeders and government programs, the breed was preserved. Nowadays it is of historical value for the Scots.

Reference. Today, there are more than 5000 representatives of the breed in the world, of which a significant part is concentrated outside Scotland - in Canada and the United States of America.

Exterior

Kleydesdals are distinguished by their large dimensions, but at the same time they are harmoniously folded. Stallions reach a height of 1.65–1.83 m and weigh about a ton. Scottish heavy trucks have:

1. A large broad-browed head with an elongated muzzle and dilated nostrils. The profile can be straight or slightly convex. The eyes are very expressive.
2. A large shortened torso with wide back and muscular croup.
3. Massive straight legs with lush friezes and regular hooves.

The Clydesdale breed often has white blotchy spots on the face, belly, and limbs. They are characterized by a roan, bay, red or brown color, very rarely a gray coat is found.

Character

Despite its gigantic body size, the Clydesdale is distinguished by its good-natured character. These massive and strong animals readily do their job without showing any temper. One of their advantages is early maturity. It is not inherent in all heavy-harness breeds.

The phlegmatic and kind Clydesdals become attached to their owners and show loyalty. They easily endure the harsh climate, quickly adapt to the new regime, put their best in work, but in return require good care and high-quality nutrition.

How are Scottish heavy trucks used today?

From the 18th to the beginning of the 20th century, these powerful horses were used to transport goods - timber and coal, they were harnessed to heavy carts. Today, the Clydesdaleals still serve the benefit of villagers around the world. Their strength is needed where technology will not pass, for example, in the forests of Canada and in mountainous areas.

Some representatives of the breed demonstrate their strength and beauty at all kinds of exhibitions and festivals. The Scottish draft is unsuitable for sports - the animals are too heavy and slow.

Features of content and nutrition

Cleydesdale is kept in spacious stalls equipped with windows. A layer of sawdust or straw is placed on the floor. Animals need to be walked for several hours every day. It is important to inspect the hooves after heavy exertion and clean them if necessary.

In the summer, horses are bathed twice a week with a hose. After the procedure, the wool is wiped dry with a clean cloth. The mane and tail are washed with shampoo and combed with a comb.

The nutrition of a heavy truck must be carefully monitored. The diet should contain:

• cereals - oats, barley, bran;
• vegetables and fruits - carrots, fodder beets, apples;
• hay;
• fresh grass;
• minerals and vitamin supplements.

Attention! Lick salt is placed in the horse's feeder. Feeling the need for minerals, the animal will lick the briquette.

It is important to water the horse properly. She needs to consume 40-60 liters of water per day. In hot weather and under intense loads - more. The main rule is that you cannot water a hot horse, you need to give it a rest. You can offer water only an hour after hard work..

The Cleydesdale horse breed has interesting story... Several times it was on the verge of extinction, but thanks to the Scottish and English enthusiasts, it has survived to this day. Draft trucks are still highly valued in their homeland, and rural residents do not neglect their help. Kleydesdal is also used as improvers for other breed lines.

03.06.2013

The height of the horse is 163-183 cm.

The color is bay with obligatory white markings on the legs and a wide bald spot on the muzzle. Brown and black are extremely rare.

The exterior is completely unique and recognizable. The type is heavy, the head is large, voluminous, the profile is humped, the neck is short and powerful, with a low entrance, the body is short, oval, the chest is deep, the limbs with this type are high, thick and strong, the back is wide, long, the croup is drooping. The legs have excellent brushes, the tail is trimmed in half or under the base so as not to interfere with the harness.

History of the breed

Oddly enough, the history of the Clydesdale breed is not so long, it began in the 18th century in Great Britain, where only three stallions of the Flemish breed were brought and they overlapped the local low filly. The result stunned everyone - the descendants were distinguished by their elegance and strength of the type, combined with a huge pulling force. Further breeding went "in itself", occasionally added Shire blood, for a long time they were considered identical breeds.

Thanks to an interesting rental scheme the best manufacturers, the livestock increased and the breed spread far beyond Scotland - throughout England, in America and even on the Australian continent. They were attracted by calmness, kindness and reliability in work. They were used to develop new breeds and to improve trotting and draft horses around the world. However, by 1975, the Clydesdale population barely exceeded 900 worldwide and was on the verge of extinction. Measures were urgently taken to revive such a beautiful and truly British giant horse.

At the moment, the population of these animals is stable, supported by enthusiasts all over the world, because the maintenance of such huge horses is associated with high costs, but they are worth it.

Lifestyle in nature

For a horse breed like the Cleydesdahl, the main factors are vital the environment, namely water, light, fresh air, conditions of detention. All these questions should be considered in more detail in order to understand what kind of maintenance and care such a horse is used to.

Fresh air

For a horse of this breed, climatic conditions are important, if they are unfavorable, the animal will often be exposed to respiratory diseases. By the actual state of the knights, one can judge the sufficient optimization fresh air and microclimate. In the stable, you need to get a thermometer, which should show no more than 15 degrees Celsius, as well as at least 5 degrees Celsius. V winter time the stable must be insulated. Dry air is not terrible for horses, but high humidity is detrimental to health. The stable also needs regular ventilation, frequent cleaning of stalls and stalls.

Lighting

Horses need regular sunshine to live well. They contribute to the destruction of microbes, start many physiological processes, and help the absorption of vitamins. Therefore, horses should be walked in the sun as often as possible. But in no case should heatstroke be allowed; at noon, horses should be taken to the shade.

In order for horses to feel comfortable in stables and to develop, they need comfortable living conditions and bedding made from straw of various cereals. It is the straw that will allow the accumulation of liquid to be absorbed, warm the horses in the cold season and feed the animals with fiber and other microelements. In addition to straw, sawdust mixed with peat is suitable for bedding, but sometimes such devices dry out the horn of the hooves, leading to their fragility. Therefore, in individuals with such a defect as a dry horn, such a litter is prohibited. If the animal is sick, it is better to equip the stable with a clay floor, which has a healing effect.

Food and watering

The most important life processes of a horse occur at the expense of water. It is much more difficult for such an animal to do without water than without food. Every day, an adult individual consumes from 20 to 70 liters of water, depending on the quality and specifics of the feed. You need to feed the animals with fresh vegetation, in winter - with hay. In addition to herbs, grains, vegetables, and sugar should be included in the daily diet. For feeding with vitamins, concentrates and special additives should be given to animals.

Application of the Clydesdale horses

The peak of the population of such a horse breed as the Cleydesdal falls in the 18th century, at the time of the development of coal mining in the Lanarkshire basin. For urgent needs of mass transport heavy loads, people began to breed a new breed of horses, develop Clydesdale heavy trucks for coal mining. In addition, Cleydesdal became indispensable in agricultural work in Scotland, after which it was used in this area in other cities and countries.

After the population of this breed, horses began to be massively acquired by famous horse breeders and breeders to develop new breeds. The main merits of this breed are the bred universal heavy riding horse and horses for sports, in particular, for show jumping. Today, the Clydesdale warriors are exported all over the world.

1. Today, horses of the Cleydesdale breed are recognized as aborigines in the singular number of New Zealand and Scotland. Due to this, in Australia, animals occupy all the leading positions in the ratings, they are no less popular in the States and Canada.
2. The most notable representative of the breed is a stallion named Prince of Wales. His birthplace is Ayrshire, where the dark brown hero was born in 1866. Scottish and noble English blood flowed in his veins. At that time, the cost of intercourse between a stallion and a mare was about 40 pounds, and his offspring were sold for 2000-3000 pounds.
3. As the first owners of such horses pointed out, if the owner of the horse walks behind her, all the horseshoes on the hooves will be presented to his eyes.

Photo gallery

Cleydesdal today

The main distinctive advantages of the Cleydesdal horse breed are excellent disposition, incredible working capacity, original presentable exterior, as well as aristocratic gait, habits and appearance... To possess such a horse means to demonstrate to others your status and adherence to good taste. Often these horses are used for parade demonstrations, trips of the nobility and guards of the royal level.

In addition, these horses show excellent performance in equestrian sports. With their direct participation, many famous horse breeds were created. For the whole world, the Cleydesdal is a British tradition that has already been appreciated all over the world.