The Trakehner horse is a relatively young breed, although the lands of East POur Country, where the breeding of these horses began, were not horseless until the beginning of the XNUMXth century. Before King Friedrich Wilhelm I established the Royal Trakehner Breeding Authority, the territory of present-day Poland (at that time East POur Country) was already inhabited by a local native breed. The local livestock were the descendants of small but strong “Schweikens” and war horses of the Teutonic Knights. The knights met the Schweikens only after the conquest of these lands.
In turn, the Schweikens were direct descendants of the primitive tarpan. Although evil tongues claim that Mongolian horses also contributed to the future elite breed of horses – trakens. Be that as it may, the official history of the Trakehner breed of horses begins in 1732, after the founding of a stud farm in the village of Trakenen, which gave the breed its name.
History of the breed
The plant was supposed to supply the P army with high-quality repair stock of horses. But a good army horse did not yet exist. In fact, in the cavalry units they recruited “whoever we find with the right size.” At the plant, selection began on the basis of local breeding stock. Producers tried stallions of eastern and Iberian blood. Considering that the modern concept of the breed did not exist then, information about the use of Turkish, Barbary, Persian, Arabian horses should be treated with caution. These were definitely horses brought from these countries, but how much of a breed it was …
The same applies to stallions of the Neapolitan and Spanish breeds. If the Neapolitan at that time was quite homogeneous in composition, then it is difficult to understand what kind of Spanish breed we are talking about. There are still quite a few of them in Spain, not counting the extinct “Spanish horse” (not even images have been preserved). However, all these breeds are close relatives.
Later, the blood of the Thoroughbred Riding Horse was added to the already existing livestock of sufficient quality for that time. The task was to get a frisky, hardy and large horse for the cavalry.
By the second half of the XNUMXth century, the Trakehner breed of horses was formed and the Stud Book was closed. From now on, only stallions of the Arabian and English purebred breeds can be used by producers “from outside” for the Trakehner breed. Shagia Arabian and Anglo-Arabs were also allowed. This situation persists to this day.
This is a first generation cross between one parent of an English Thoroughbred and the other of a Trakehner breed. Such a cross will be recorded in the Stud Book as Trakehner.
In order to select the best individuals for the tribe, all the young animals of the plant were tested. In the late XNUMXth and early XNUMXth centuries, stallions were tested in smooth races, which were later replaced by parforest hunts and steeple chases. Mares were tested in harness for agricultural and transport work. The result was a high-quality riding-draft breed of horses.
The working and exterior characteristics of the Trakehner horses ideally met the requirements of that time. This contributed to the wide distribution of the breed in many countries. In the 30s of the last century, only the breeding stock numbered 18 registered mares. Up until World War II.
Photo of a horse of the Trakehner breed, model 1927.
World War II
The Great Patriotic War did not spare the Trakehner breed either. A large number of horses fell on the battlefields. And during the offensive of the Red Army, the Nazis tried to drive the tribal core to the West. Queens with foals a few months old went into the evacuation on their own. The Trakener plant for 3 months, under the bombing of Soviet aircraft, left the advancing Red Army in cold weather and without food.
Of the several thousand livestock that went to the West, only 700 heads survived. Of these, 600 queens and 50 stallions. A relatively small part of the Trakehner elite was captured by the Soviet army and sent to the USSR.
To begin with, they tried to send trophy herds for year-round maintenance in the steppe in company with the Don breed. “Oh,” said the Trakens, “we are a factory breed, we cannot live like this.” And a significant part of the trophy horses died in winter from hunger.
“Pf,” the Donchaks grunted, “what’s good for a is death for a German.” And continued tebenevku.
But the authorities were not satisfied with the case and the Trakens were transferred to the stables. Moreover, the captured livestock turned out to be large enough for even the “ Traken” brand to appear for some time, which lasted until the time of perestroika.
Photo Ash of the Trakehner breed under the saddle of E.V. Petushkova.
Since perestroika, the Trakehner population in Our Country has not only decreased, but the requirements for a horse in modern equestrian sport have also changed. And livestock specialists continued to “preserve the breed.” As a result, the ” tracker” was actually lost.
Meanwhile in Germany
Of the surviving 700 heads in Germany, they managed to restore the Trakehner breed. According to the Trakenen Breeding Union, there are 4500 queens and 280 stallions in the world today. VNIIK might not agree with them, but the German Union considers only those horses who have passed the kerung and received a license to breed from them. Such horses are branded with the sign of the union – the double horns of an elk. The brand is placed on the left thigh of the animal.
Photo of a Trakehner horse “with horns”.
This is how the brand looks close up.
Having restored the livestock, the FRG again became a legislator in the breeding of the Trakehner breed. Trakehner horses can be bred to almost all half-breed sport breeds in Europe.
The main livestock is concentrated today in 3 countries: Germany, Our Country and Poland. The modern use of the Trakehner breed is the same as that of other half-breed sports breeds: dressage, show jumping, triathlon. Trakens are bought by both novice riders and top-level athletes. The traken will not refuse and ride through the fields of its owner.
Exterior
In modern sports horse breeding, it is often possible to distinguish one breed from another only by breeding certificate. Or brand. The Traken is no exception in this regard, and its main exterior characteristics are similar to other sports breeds.
The growth of modern trakens is from 160 cm. Previously, the average values u162bu165bwere indicated XNUMX-XNUMX cm, but today they cannot be guided by.
The head is dry, with a wide ganache and a thin snore. The profile is usually straight, may be Arabicized. Long elegant neck, well-defined withers. Strong straight back. Body of medium length. The chest is wide, with rounded ribs. Long sloping shoulder blade, oblique shoulder. Long, well muscled croup. Dry strong legs of medium length. High set tail.
Suit
After the Ashes, many people associate the Trakenen horse with a black suit, but in fact the Trakenen have all the main colors: red, bay, gray. May come across a roan. Since the piebald gene is present in the breed, today you can find a piebald traken. Previously, they were culled from breeding.
Since there is no Cremello gene in the breed, a purebred Traken cannot be a nightingale, tan or isabella.
Nothing definite can be said about the nature of the Trakehner breed of horses. Among these horses there are honest compliant individuals and those who are looking for any excuse to evade work. There are instances of “pass by and quickly” and there is “welcome, dear guests.”
A vivid example of the evil character of the Trakehner horse is the same Ashes, to which one still had to be able to find an approach.
Reviews
Conclusion
The Germans are so proud of the Trakehner breed that Schleich produces figurines of Trakehner horses. Piebald and poorly recognizable “in the face.” But it says on the labels. Although collectors of such figurines would be better off looking for a manufacturer with recognizable breeds. As for sports, trakens are often used in show jumping at the highest level. In the general population of trakens, everyone can find an animal to their liking: from “just ride in my free time” to “I want to jump Grand Prix”. True, the price for different categories will also differ.