This most interesting animal represents one of the oldest breeds of horses on Earth. The Yakut horse, whose remains were discovered by archaeologists during excavations, appeared on our planet many millennia ago.
Their habitat in natural conditions is Chukotka and Yakutia. These are areas with a pronounced continental climate. In these areas, the air temperature rises to +35 degrees in summer, and drops to -50 in winter.
From the history of the breed
According to researchers, the Yakut horse breed originated from wild tundra white horses and miraculously survived to this day.
Yakuts have been engaged in horse breeding since ancient times. This was first mentioned at the beginning of the 17th century, when the first Russian travelers appeared on the banks of the Lena River. Farming in these areas began at the end of the 19th century.
The Yakuts have always occupied territories that were convenient for cattle breeding - along the banks of rivers, valleys with meadow vegetation. To understand how important horse breeding was for this people, you need to familiarize yourself with its customs. For example, after the death of a person, his horse was slaughtered, and the meat was distributedto everyone who came to the funeral. Not a single wedding meal was complete without koumiss and horsemeat, while the guests of honor were offered the best pieces.
Yakut horse: structure, characteristics
These animals are well adapted to the harsh climate of the north. They feel great only in the region where they live in their natural environment. Many farmers from other regions have tried to start a Yakut horse on their farm, but they fail to realize their dream and breed these animals. At the same time, their special endurance and working capacity invariably attract the attention of specialists. Consider only some of the characteristics that representatives of this breed possess. So, this animal is capable of carrying a load of more than a hundred kilograms, it easily overcomes a distance of more than a hundred kilometers without visible signs of fatigue.
The Yakut breed of horses is distinguished by a short step. On a heavy snow-covered road 3,200 meters long, these animals canter in 5 minutes. Yakut horses are considered late maturing, but long-lived - they reach full development only by the age of six. In breeding, they are used up to 25-27 years.
Physiological characteristics
The Yakut horse has perfectly adapted to the harsh conditions of the north. Amazing horses have their own biological characteristics. First of all, this is a reduction in energy consumption, which supports the vital activity of the animal's body in winter. This is achieved due to the following structural features:
- significant thickening of the skincover;
- formation of a layer of subcutaneous fat;
- thickening and lengthening of the coat.
In 1943 a breeding nursery was organized in the Verkhoyansk region. The purpose of its creation was work to improve the Yakut horse. There have been repeated attempts to cross these animals with other breeds. The results of these experiments had no effect on the breed. This breed is protected by the harsh nature of Yakutia - other horses simply do not survive here. This is also evidenced by the numbers - in a population of 150,000 animals, crossbreeds make up only 2%.
External differences
Description of the exterior of the Yakut horse breed can be seen in all veterinary reference books. These animals have a rough, massive head, characteristic only for this breed, planted on a thick and short neck.
In addition, they are distinguished by a very small height at the withers (no more than 136 cm), a straight and long back, a lowered croup, a deep and wide chest, and a thick mane.
By winter, the Yakut horse is covered with thicker and longer hair. But not only it protects the animal from frost. The same function is performed by thick skin with a layer of fat. In winter, the coat grows up to 10 cm in length, the tail of the animal becomes thick and magnificent, it usually hangs down to the ground, and the mane covers the neck, as well as the shoulders of the animal.
Shaggy Yakut horses have somewhat short front legs. Their setting is correct, the hind limbs are often X-shaped. Hooves of the correct form, strong.
Suit
The most common is Savrasaya, gray or mouse suit. There are animals with agouti coloration. In this case, only the upper part of the hair is pigmented. In the north of Yakutia, gray horses are most often found. They turn gray early and become almost white by the age of four.
Use
The Yakut horse is widely used in the north of our country. The Yakut breed of horses gives a person meat and koumiss (milk), and very hard-wearing and warm things are sewn from their fur. These small but hardy horses are used for carrying goods, as well as for riding. The Yakuts ride them to hunt. To do this, the animal is taken from the herd and "kept" for two days. In fact, the horse is starved. She is tied to the post quite shortly, so that she cannot bend over. This is done so that a rather well-fed and unaccustomed horse from the herd acquires the desired shape. After two or three unloading days, she will easily endure a long jump. The Yakuts have been using this peculiar method for many centuries.
The Yakut horse as a racehorse is not quite familiar even for an experienced rider. After all, it moves in very small steps, which is explained by the living conditions in places devoid of large expanses where it would be possible to develop great speed. Therefore, the Yakut horse is used as a riding horse only in its homeland.
Meat and dairy direction is a priority in breeding these animals. Their meatconsidered a delicacy. It has a marble color and a special taste. In addition, it contains a lot of unsaturated fatty acids, which contribute to the removal of harmful cholesterol and greatly alleviate the condition of patients with anemia, tuberculosis and sclerosis.
The Yakuts also use the skins of these horses, making household items from them, from shoes to various mats. Among the peoples of the north, the wool of Yakut horses is replaced by sheep, felt boots are made from it, threads are made from which very warm clothes are knitted.
Not only specialists, but also ordinary citizens are interested in the Yakut breed of horses. Horses and ponies (animals with a height of less than 113 cm at the withers, which are born through natural selection without human intervention) are in great demand in zoos and circuses in our country. Unfortunately, in the middle lane and southern regions, they take root extremely rarely.
Maintenance and Care
Even in harsh winter conditions, the Yakut horse lives outdoors. In summer, animals graze at temperatures up to +30 °С, and in winter up to -50 °С.
They look for food on their own and even in severe frost they are able to feed on grass, which is extracted from under the snow. In Yakutia, the snow is not too deep. Therefore, horses rake it with their hooves and get to the grass. This pasture is called "tebenyovka". With the onset of spring, horses are transferred to the southern slopes of the hills, where the climate is milder and the snow melts faster. Closer to summer, animals are driven to open places. Only working horses, most often geldings, in winter inreceive hay as a top dressing. They are usually kept in pens.
We have already said that these animals do not differ in outstanding performance, but they also participate in competitions in agility and strength, where they show not comic results at all. So, harnessed to a sleigh with a load of 350 kg along a snowy road, the Yakuts traveled a distance of 650 km in 16 days. A shorter distance (1630 m) under a light rider in winter, they overcome in 2 minutes and 56 seconds. In fairness, it must be said that the participants of these competitions, in addition to hay, also received oats.
Insect protection
In summer, Yakut horses lose a lot of weight, as countless mosquitoes and midges prevent them from grazing normally. To protect animals, local residents burn special fume hoods in the villages, which repel flies and mosquitoes with smoke.
Yakut horse: price
Many dream of buying a Yakut horse. These are hardy and quick-witted animals that are well oriented in rough terrain. In addition, these furry horses are simply adorable. Today, for many, this dream can come true, since the head of Yakutia, E. Borisov, allowed these amazing animals to be exported to other regions in order to improve the breed. Sale is not carried out everywhere, but only at special breeding plants. For example, you can buy a horse at the GUSP "Bashplemservice", located in the Republic of Bashkortostan.
Surely the question of cost is of interest to everyone who wants to buy such an animal. We will present youindicative prices as they are subject to change. For example, a stallion 6-7 years old costs 80 thousand rubles. An 8-year-old mare will cost the same amount, a two-year-old foal costs 60 thousand rubles, and a one-year-old - 40 thousand rubles.
Development of the breed
Today, three types of Yakut horses have formed in Yakutia:
- northern (Verkhoyansk and Middle Kolyma horse);
- southern - smaller animals that have not been crossed with other breeds of horses;
- southern large type.
In 2011, a new one was officially introduced - the Megezhek variety of Yakut horses at the stud farm named after. S. Vasilyeva.
