Yakut breed of horses
The Yakut horse belongs to the representatives of a powerful and beautiful breed. It is known that such a variety of horses existed on our planet several millennia ago. The only refuge for them has always been the tundra. The breed is aboriginal, changes in this variety took place under the harsh influence of the environment and the indigenous peoples of Yakutia.
Yakut horse
The main habitat of horses is the area around the Lena River, the adjacent floodplains and meadows, as well as more northern territories. The Yakut horses, despite their physical parameters, are excellent hard workers who are able to overcome long distances rather quickly (about 3 km in just 5 minutes). Yakut horses are capable of carrying heavy loads, since they themselves have a lot of weight. In the photo, the mare looks graceful and massive.
Before buying animals, you need to study the reviews about this breed, see the description, find out the character, and also look at the photos and videos.
The origin of the breed
Almost nothing is known about the origin of the breed. In the harsh conditions of the nature of Yakutia, none of the scientists have ever asked this question. Also, the lands of this region do not allow for archaeological excavations. However, at present, scientists have managed to find the remains of some ancient animals. It turned out that most likely these are mares from Yakutia, which descended from old breeds of Asian species, whose habitat is Mesopotamia and Asia.
The similarity of the Yakut mare with the Mongolian and other Asian species is completely imperceptible, however, the Yakut individuals (they are also called Yakut horses) have much in common with these breeds at the gene level. Nevertheless, it should be noted that the external appearance of the Yakut mare has been formed for centuries under the influence of the harsh nature of Yakutia, therefore it is likely that the mares have some kinship with the Asian varieties, but under the influence of the conditions of the north, their exterior has changed a lot. Asian breeds can boast of higher stature and a smaller layer of subcutaneous fat, as they live in a different region, which is radically different from the homeland of the Yakut horse.
Characteristics of the Yakut horses
The Yakut breed of horses lives in small groups in the open air all year round. In winter, animals are not afraid of frosts, even when snow is already everywhere. Warmth is retained by the warm hairline. Pets are kept in herds, where there are at least 15 mares for 1 stallion of the leader, sometimes their number reaches 24. In this herd, horses from Yakutia move around the tundra and look for food for themselves. According to rumors, these horses can withstand temperatures down to -60 ° C and are perfectly adapted to life in the harsh north. Their food is the frozen grass that the horses pull out from under the snow.
The fauna of the tundra is not so rich in representatives precisely because of the natural conditions. Rare animals can boast of stamina and strength. Yakut horses are bred in the breeding nursery of the Verkhoyansk region, without crossing with any others.There were several attempts to violate the purity of the breed, but they were unsuccessful. As a result, the breed remained in its original state, the origin of the subspecies of the Yakut breed took place only under the influence of natural and climatic conditions.
Horse appearance
The Yakut breed of horses has always retained its original appearance. These horses certainly cannot be called tall: the height of an adult is no more than 136-138 cm. Yakut horses also have a large and massive head, which is set on a thick neck that is short relative to the body. The back is straight and long, the chest is wide. Stallions' chest girth can reach 170 cm.
Physical data can be a reason to doubt the capabilities of horses of this breed, since by sight they are just cute little creatures, unable to do hard work. However, if you see these mares in action, there will be no doubt that the Yakut individuals are really capable of much.
The horses' coat is long, thick and fluffy, which helps the animals to protect themselves from frost. In winter, wool grows back and in the coldest season it can reach 10 cm in length. The undercoat makes up about 80% of the entire skin. The horse's tail grows back and almost touches the ground, the mane covers the neck and shoulders, as these are the most vulnerable parts of the horse's body.
Yakut horses mature by the age of 5-6, by this time they gain weight about 500-600 kg and reach their maximum height. At the age of six months, the foal should weigh no more than 100 kg. At 2.5 years old, the weight should increase by about 70 kg.
Horses have a fairly voluminous fat layer, thick skin. The fat layer in an adult mare can be about 10 cm in thickness, and in a young individual it is 2 times less - about 5 cm.
One of the features of the Yakut horses is their low but strong legs, thanks to which the animals overcome great distances and get food from under the snow.
Suit
Yakut horses of savras color can hardly be seen, but gray or musky color is much more common.
In the homeland of these beautiful horses, you can see a huge number of almost snow-white horses. This is due to the fact that horses of the Yakut breed are prone to early graying. By the age of 4 years, the Yakut horse can become completely gray. In rare cases, there are horses of brown and chestnut color. Before purchasing such a variety of mares, it is necessary to carefully study all colors and characteristics in order to know what a real Yakut horse looks like.
Types of Yakut horses
At the moment, several types of horses are known.
- Northern species, including the Srednekolymsk and Verkhoyansk horses.
- The southern species, which in turn is divided into large and small. It is said that the Southern Large Type was formed as a result of crossing with other breeds. Horses of this type are notable for their taller growth at the withers than the purebred Yakut horses.
Use of horses
The Sakha people consider the horse to be an animal of divine origin. Dzhesegey is a Yakut god, the god of brave men and stallions. In honor of him, the Ysyakh holiday is organized, which is not complete without horse races, where the Yakut horse is the center of everyone's attention.
Indigenous peoples value their mares very much. It is impossible to imagine the life of a Yakut without his horse. Animals can be rightfully proud of, because these small horses are able to do quite hard work and travel long distances, despite the harsh climate. Also, mares are long-livers, many representatives are suitable for work up to 27-30 years.
The Yakut horses were also useful in the development of the North. They took part in some winter expeditions and served as faithful mounts for explorers due to their ability to travel long distances in bad weather. Basically, these mares are used for riding, as they are able to move even on snowy roads. Locals go hunting on horseback, before keeping them for a couple of days away from the herd.They even transport goods with the help of mares. Horses are smart and quick-witted, suitable for training, do not show aggression towards people, and are also able to perfectly navigate the terrain even while running.
Mares are also used for meat and dairy products. Marble meat is a delicious folk dish. Mare meat contains numerous layers of fat that give it its special taste and texture. Kumis is made from the milk taken from mares. It is highly regarded by indigenous peoples, including for its medicinal properties. Mares that are destined for milk and meat are never used for riding.
It should be noted that the products obtained from the Yakut horses are highly valued not only in their homeland, but also in other regions of Russia and even abroad.
Buying a Yakut horse
The Minister of Agriculture of Yakutia allowed to increase the export of the Yakut horse, since many want to buy an unpretentious and hardy horse, and the demand for such horses is quite high. You can buy a Yakut horse in one of the pedigree folk nurseries. Most likely, the price will be very high, because this breed is quite rare.
Currently, the Ministry of Agriculture wants to increase the population of such horses. The population of the variety is likely to increase to 200 thousand heads by 2021, and this is more than 30 thousand more than the current Yakut horse population. This means that soon the export of mares of this variety will increase and there will be more opportunities to acquire a foal. Perhaps the price for representatives of this breed will decrease due to the increase in the number of individuals for sale.
Yakut horse care
The Yakut horse is not at all whimsical in grooming, because it is a wild breed, which was formed not under the influence of man, but under the influence of the world around it. Yakut horses are accustomed to life in nature. All year round, they graze in the pastures, extracting food from the snow. Most likely, a mare, which is accustomed to such conditions, will not be at all comfortable in a closed stable. If you plan to keep mares in a closed pen, you must not completely block access to the street, but allow them to move freely around the territory.
A rural farm is best suited for keeping such a free variety of horses, where you can raise animals for yourself and allow them to move throughout the territory. From time to time it is necessary to comb the mare's mane and clean the hooves. The veterinarian is invited to examine the horses once every 6-12 months. If you follow the simple rules for the care and maintenance of such unpretentious and independent mares, Yakut horses will grow up healthy and active.