From time immemorial, heavy-horse horses have been indispensable assistants to peasants in their hard work. At the moment, in agriculture such animals are used, of course, very rarely. However, as a variety, the animals of these breeds have been preserved, of course, to this day.
Heavy truck history
These interesting horses began to be bred in Europe, back in the Middle Ages. Knight combat equipment in those days, as you know, was very heavy. And for the movement of warriors, respectively, sturdy and strong horses were required.
The first heavy trucks were very large. Their height at the withers could reach two meters, and weight - more than a ton. However, such horses, unfortunately, did not differ in high speed of movement and special endurance. Only a little later were breeds that were not so large, but much more speedy, unpretentious and capable of jumping.
Heavy horse horses were bred in Europe after the end of the Crusades and the Knight Wars. The descendants of such animals in this part of the world have survived to this day. Modern heavy trucks of the following breeds lead their pedigree from medieval horses of this variety:
- French perchers;
- Belgian Brabansons
- English shires.
It was on the basis of these three Europeans that all breeds of heavy trucks bred in the world were bred today.
History of horses in Russia
Despite the fact that the need for heavy trucks in our country before the revolution was quite large, purposeful selection with them was not carried on for a long time.
Actually, hardy working horses in Russia began to be withdrawn during the time of Ivan the Terrible. However, breeding work with them was characterized by unsystematic nature, and in fact, no breeds in our country were bred at that time. Heavy horse horses in Russia for a long time simply did not exist as a species.
In our country, a little more attention was paid to such animals only at the end of the 19th century. At that time, heavy trucks from Europe were brought to Russia to cross with domestic work mares. As a result, several very hardy and strong crossbreeds were bred. Also, the first real domestic formed breed was obtained - the Russian heavy truck.
Heavy-duty horses in the USSR
The truly large-scale work on the development of such horses in Russia began after the revolution. At that time, agriculture in the young country was in dire need of cheap draft power, which became a good incentive for large-scale breeding. So, for example, after the revolution, two popular and still known, as well as world-famous varieties, the Vladimir and Soviet heavy trucks, were bred in our country. These breeds of horses are bred in Russia to this day.
Russian heavy truck: description
This breed, bred back in the 19th century, remains the most common in our country today. The main distinguishing features of the Russian heavy truck are:
- squat - the maximum height at the withers of these horses is 150 cm;
- wide withers and developed chest;
- a small head on a long neck;
- thick tail and mane.
The breed of horses was bred Russian heavy truck was before the revolution, but it was finally formed only in the 50s of the last century. These animals were obtained by crossing domestic mare workers with Belgian heavy-duty stallions.
Despite the squat, horses of this breed are distinguished by great strength and endurance. Also, these horses are absolutely not whimsical in terms of conditions of detention.
Vladimir heavy truck: history of the breed
The birthplace of this popular breed is Gavrilov Posad. The history of the horse of the Vladimir heavy truck began in 1886 - after the creation of the state factory stables in this village. To breed a new domestic breed in those days, Gherrilov Posad brought Perchers, Ardenes and Suffolks.
In the XX century, when creating a new horse-heavy truck at the tsar's factory, shires and glue-sticks were also used. As a result, the specialists of the stables bred several very good crossbreeds. However, breeding work to create new breeds in Gavrilov Posad in those days, unfortunately, was chaotic.
This situation was corrected only in Soviet times - in the 30s of the last century. Then, on the basis of the royal factory in Gavrilov Posad, a state nursery garden was created. Its specialists later carried out large-scale work to systematize and select the best hybrids of the royal factory. As a result, after a few years a new breed was obtained, called the Vladimir heavy truck. It was officially registered in 1946.
general description
At the moment, it is these animals that are considered the best domestic heavy truck horse. The Vladimir breed, among other things, is distinguished by the following features:
- height at the withers - 165-167 cm;
- chest girth - 198 cm;
- stallions weight - 780 kg, mares - 585 kg;
- large head and powerful neck;
- bony strong legs with the correct setting;
- short and thick, almost "plush" wool.
The most common suit of Vladimir heavy carriers is bay. But there are also red and black. The photo of the heavy horses of this breed, presented below. Their become and the magnificent exterior is better to demonstrate clearly.
Vladimir heavy trucks, among other things, are distinguished by endurance and tremendous strength. In 5 minutes these horses are able to cover a distance of 2 km with a load of 1.5 tons. These animals can work in the most difficult conditions - in rain, heat, snow. In addition, the Vladimir heavy truck is a breed of horses that is distinguished by a fairly flexible and obedient character.
Soviet heavy truck
These horses were bred by crossing domestic mare workers with the Belgian Brabansons. Officially, the Soviet heavy truck was registered in 1952. One of its features is that, in addition to its excellent working qualities, it is also characterized by a high degree of milkness.
The Mordovian and Pochinkovsky stud farms were once engaged in the breeding of this breed in the USSR. Therefore, at the moment there are two main types of Soviet heavy truck. Pochinkovskie animals are characterized primarily by a very large physique. Mordovian horses have a slightly more compact and dry skeleton.
You can find out the Soviet heavy truck by:
- strong short neck and head of medium size;
- expressive muscles of the cheeks and wide nostrils;
- erect small ears;
- massive hind limbs.
The average weight of Soviet stallions is 900 kg, mares - 700 kg. At the withers, these animals usually reach a height of 1.5-1.7 m. Below you can see photos of the heavy horse horses of this particular breed.
Perchersons: a general description
Domestic breeds of heavy trucks are actually distinguished by an impressive exterior and excellent performance. However, Russian horses of this variety were bred, as already mentioned, on the basis of foreign manufacturers. Thus, horses were received Russian heavy, Vladimir, Soviet.
Used for breeding domestic breeds, of course, only the best foreign varieties. The famous French heavy truck Persheron was once brought to Russia for this purpose. This huge horse has long been the pride of Normandy and is currently one of the oldest breeds on the planet. Scientists have found that the ancestors of these animals took part in the military campaigns of Julius Caesar.
Unfortunately, the process of removing percherons is still poorly understood. It is only known for certain that this breed was created with the participation of Arabian horses. Features perchers, among other things, are:
- height at withers up to 170 cm and chest girth up to 200 cm;
- expressive head with a convex forehead;
- muscular neck and croup;
- beautiful mane and tail.
The suit of these horses is most often gray or black. But roan or red perchers are also found.
The pluses of this breed, among other things, include a calm disposition, patience and unpretentiousness in care. Also the advantage of these animals is considered to be good learner.
Heavy Brabanson Horse Breed: Description
These horses, like all those described above, are certainly very hardy and strong. In Europe, these brabancons horses are still used for grazing cattle and small cattle, as well as in sawmills. Distinctive features of these animals are:
- height up to 170 cm;
- small head;
- small erect ears;
- large nostrils;
- heavy hooves;
- dry, muscular legs with a heavy top;
- thick coat with undercoat.
Three lines of brabancon horses are currently bred : the bay Gros de la Dendre, the roan Greys of Hainault, and the Collosses de la Mwhaigne, which have very strong legs.
In the process of breeding this breed, only the most meek and kind stallions were selected as producers. Therefore, the Brabancons differ, among other things, in a very flexible and kind disposition. The pluses of these horses include the ability to quickly respond to human speech. Whip when working with such animals is rarely used.
Horses English Shires
This breed of heavy trucks is today considered the most prestigious in the world. Long since such horses were used in military campaigns. At the moment, the English Shires are the highest and most powerful heavy trucks on the planet. The record growth of such animals at the withers is 2.2 m. These horses can weigh up to 1200 kg. In some stallions, this figure reaches 1500 kg. Also distinguishing features of these horses are:
- large head;
- large eyes and nostrils;
- barrel-shaped body;
- long powerful neck and muscular croup;
- strong legs with wide hooves.
The suit of these horses can be almost any. There are bay, black, gray, roan horses of this breed. A distinctive feature of all shires is white stockings on the hind legs and bald patches behind the ears.
Heavy truck conditions
There are quite a lot of horses of this variety at the moment. All of them, of course, differ simply in excellent working qualities. But the breed of horses Russian heavy truck, Vladimir, Soviet, Percherons, Brabansons and Shires in the world, of course, are the most popular. One of their undoubted advantages is unpretentiousness and endurance. However, heavy trucks, like ordinary horses, of course, also need good care.
The technology for keeping such animals is practically no different from the method of breeding simple racehorses and work horses. The only thing - animals of this species usually consume a little more food. In most cases, heavy carriers are given 1.5 times the feed of an ordinary horse per day.
The room in which these horses are kept should be warm and well ventilated. The presence of drafts in the stable with horses, heavy trucks should not be allowed. Since these animals are massive, they are usually given quite a lot of food containing a large amount of protein.
In heavy work, such horses are rarely used today. However, subjecting them to physical exertion from time to time is still a must. Constantly in the stables of heavy trucks can not be kept. A prerequisite for the proper care of such horses are daily walks.