Oryol trotting horse breed - the pride of Russian horse breeding
The Oryol trotting horse breed is one of the most popular and widespread, considered to be the real pride of Russian horse breeding. The Oryol trotter belongs to a light-harnessed horse breed with a genetic ability for a frisky trot, determination and natural grace. Representatives of this species have repeatedly become champions at the most prestigious domestic and foreign exhibitions and competitions.
Oryol trotting horse breed - history and description
For this purpose, Count Orlov acquired an Arabian horse from the Turkish Sultan, calling it Smetanka. It was the son of Smetanka, crossed with a mare dun suit from Holland, who became the ancestor of the Oryol breed.
Characteristics of the Oryol trotter:
- the growth of the horse - up to 167-170 cm;
- weight within 520-550 kg;
- the back is muscular, oblong (the Orlov trotter has 19 ribs, and not 18, as in representatives of other breeds);
- body length up to 160 cm in an oblique line;
- the limbs are of medium length, sinewy and dry, with large and massive hooves;
- the croup is oval, compact;
- the chest is strong, its girth is 180 cm;
- the head is small in size, with a protruding frontal zone and large eyes;
- the neck is muscular and graceful, with a swan curve;
- ears are small and tidy.
The Oryol trotting breed of horses does not have a specific color. Most often, among the horses there is a silver-gray or gray in apples color with darker limbs, tail and mane.
Trotters with a black, bay, roan or red color are also common. The most rare color is cream.
The nature of the horses of the Oryol breed
The Oryol trotter horse has gained wide demand among horse breeders due to its excellent speed, the ability to move beautifully and gracefully, stubbornness, good endurance and determination.
By their nature, representatives of the Oryol breed are docile, calm and good-natured, loyal to their master. In rare cases, obstinacy may occur, but more often it is a response to mistreatment.
Horses of the Oryol trotting breed are distinguished by intelligence and hard work, but they do not tolerate abuse. Animals react to it with unwillingness to obey commands.
The main feature of the Orlov trotters is their extraordinary capacity for work. They not only never refuse to work, like representatives of other breeds, but they themselves strive for it. The reason lies in the innate activity and energy of these animals.
Thanks to high intelligence, the ability to empathize and unquestioningly fulfill the requirements of a person, it is possible to use the help of animals in sessions with cognitive and body-oriented techniques that improve the state of the human psyche.
Maintenance of horses of the Orlov trotting breed
An important property of the Oryol trotting breed of horses is the ability to adapt to any climatic conditions, undemanding maintenance, nutrition and care.These animals are kept in a stable with a day's range. For the comfortable existence of Orlov horses, it is important to provide quality nutrition and care.
Stable arrangement
Orlov stallions are large and massive animals that need enough space. The optimal size of a stable in a stable is at least 3x3 m. In the absence of drafts, horses and even small foals tolerate a drop in air temperature well.
Representatives of the Oryol trotter breed are very fond of warmth, so it is advisable to insulate the walls of the stable. For this purpose, you can use foam, and cover the floor with a bed of hay, straw, sawdust or dry peat. Its thickness must be at least 25 cm.
The optimum temperature regime is 20-23 °, the humidity level is 40-50%. With short daylight hours, animals require additional lighting. But at night, the lights must be turned off, since darkness is needed for the trotters to have a good rest.
Horse stalls should be equipped with drinkers and feeders made of wooden planks. It is advisable to install them in such a way that animals have access to them both from the inside of the stall and from the outside.
Horse care
For Oryol trotting horses, daily walks in the fresh air are very important, helping them to maintain excellent physical shape. After the walk, the body of the animals is covered with sweat. To prevent colds, you need to wipe them with a dry cloth or towel.
Basic rules for the care of Orlov trotters:
- After each workout, brush the horse's coat with a special brush, starting from the left side of the neck.
- Every 7 days the horse needs to be bathed - watered abundantly with warm water with the addition of salt and alcohol, cleaned with a brush.
- The animal's mane should be washed regularly using a special horse shampoo.
- For combing the mane and tail, it is advisable to use a comb with natural bristles, which retains their gloss and elasticity.
- After walking in the fresh air and serious physical exertion, you should examine the horse's hooves for cracks, and also lubricate them with a mixture of turpentine and lamb fat.
- Every 3 months, it is advisable to have a preventive examination of the horse by a veterinarian.
Cobwebs should be removed from the stables every week, as well as daily sweeping. It is very important to regularly clean up faeces, waste and feed residues. The stable should be ventilated to prevent mold and bacteria.
Feeding
Horses of the Oryol trotting breed are active and energetic animals, therefore they need high-quality and balanced nutrition. The daily diet of trotters consists of green herbs with additions of hay, grain, vegetables and mineral additives.
Diet of horses of the Oryol trotting breed:
- oats;
- oat straw;
- cake of various cultures;
- mixed grass meadow hay;
- rye and wheat bran;
- feed yeast;
- malt;
- stale bread;
- silage;
- apples;
- feed potatoes;
- salt;
- vitamin and mineral supplements;
- fish fat.
Horses should not be given fresh bread and other pastries, as they can cause fermentation in the intestines. Also, animals are not given fruits (except for apples), cabbage, dried fruits, cookies and other food products from the human table.
In winter, animals need to be fed three times a day, in summer, taking into account walking on pastures - twice. First of all, you need to give roughage, after which concentrates. Water should also be given to horses three times a day, before roughage (70-80 liters per day). Table salt is given in a dosage of 1-2 tablespoons, depending on the age of the animal.
Horses of the Oryol trotting breed are a real asset of Russian horse breeding, which is highly valued all over the world. These animals delight not only with their stately and graceful appearance, but also with excellent performance.