| EQUINETOURISM - WORLDWIDE - Altai Horse Breed - Siberia, Russia |
Exploring the Altai Horse Breed |
|
The Altai breed of horse originates from Southern Siberia and takes its name from the beautiful Altai mountains. The Altai have developed over the centuries and have been significantly influenced by the harsh continental climate and the conditions specific to the mountain taiga which they call home. |
Horses have always been important to the tribesmen and nomads in this mountainous region of Siberia, requiring horses with a strong heart, lungs, muscles, and tendons along with very hard feet. A sure-footed horse is important, as they must travel over steep mountain trails cut from the rock and cross fast-moving streams and rivers.
The development of the Altai has resulted in the creation of a hardy animal which is indispensable to the people who depend on it.
Breed Characteristics:
In the typical Altai, the head is average in length, large and somewhat coarse; the neck is fleshy; the back is long and slightly dipped; the croup is well developed, the legs are short and properly set.
The average measurements (in cm) are: stallions - height at withers 140, chest girth 170, cannon bone girth 19; mares: 137, 170 and 18 respectively.
The colors are chestnut, bay, black and gray, sometimes spotted.
The Altai is highly adapted to year-round pasture grazing and are easy to keep and undemanding with regard to their management. Altai crosses with pure breeds produce good performance ponies and horses, which tend to be larger than the Altai, while retaining their sound health.
Altai Riding Horses...
In Altai today, the horses used for trekking are a mixture of Orlovskyi, Donskoi and Mongolskyi types.
They are growing up in mountains in wild horse herds for first 2-4 years, which is why the prove to be so suitable for riding in mountains. They can carry up to 60 kg of weight. In steppe regions of Altai they are not shod, but in mountains regions they are.
Horses carrying loads are provided with special luggage saddles - traditional Altai style with two leather bags on both sides. Riding horses are equipped with riding saddles which are different than in Europe type, but which are considered to be good quality and which have special luggage bags fixed behind the saddle.
  |
|
Editorial and pictures from Go Russia Ltd
|
BACK TO EQUINETOURISM.CO.UK WORLDWIDE HORSE HOLIDAYS FRONT PAGE
|
|
Horse riding holidays, equestrian events and shows, horseback vacations, equine directory, good horsemanship, horse holidays, uk and worldwide
ADVERTISE on Equinetourism.co.uk - Click here
SEARCH FOR CONTENT ON EQUINETOURISM.CO.UK |
Also see www.EquineTourismCommunity.com and www.EquineTourism.com
email: [email protected] - Telephone 00 44 (0)1643 862785
www.EquineTourism.co.uk is owned by Happy Horses Ltd, Holt Ball, Luccombe, Minehead, Exmoor, Somerset TA24 8SZ
Full worldwide copyright and all rights retained ©2004-2014 ongoing Happy Horses Ltd. Please read our Disclaimer
|
