Origin
Hungary
History
The Nonius was first bred in the 19th century in Hungary, following a horse-breeding tradition that dated back 1,000 years to the settlement in the Carpathian basin of the Magyar horsemen, the descendants of the horse peoples of the Asian steppes. From then on, Hungary dominated horse breeding in Europe, producing hardy, quality horses, greatly in demand as cavalry mounts.
The Nonius was originally developed at the Hungarian state studfarm of Mezóhegyes, which is situated in the extreme southeast of the Hungarian plain.
Nonius Senior was the foundation sire of the Nonius breed. He was foaled in Normandy, in 1810 and taken by Hungarian cavalry after Napoleon´s defeat at Leipzig in 1813. It is assumed that Nonius Senior was by the English halfbred stallion Orion, who had probably Norfolk Roadster blood out of a Norman mare. At first, Nonius was crossed with all kind of mares-Arabians, Lipizzaners, English half-breds, Spanish, and Normans. He sired 15 exceptional stallions, principally the prepotent Nonius IX. During the 1860s more Thoroughbreds were used to eliminate the remaining physical defects as Nonius Senior was apparently not a handsome horse and was said to have a heavy head with small eyes and long ears, a short neck, long back, and a narrow pelvis.
Since 1961, Nonius breeding in Hungary has been centered in Hortobagy, while Nonius horses are also bred in Slovakia at Topolcianky. The principal breeding aim is increase of the population combined with steady quality improvement. In breed selection, sorting for large frame, pleasant exterior, and good action are determining factors. Candidates for breeding stock are required to pass a working capacity test in harness.
Description
- Head:
large, proportional to the body mass, usually convex or romannosed - Conformation:
the Nonius is a medium to heavy harness type, powerful, robust in appearance
-neck, well arched
-shoulder, medium to long, very muscular and somewhat straight
-withers, low and wide
-croup described as a wide, muscular „melon" croup
-joints, strong and large
-cannons, short and wide
-fetlocks, short and tight - Average height:
small category, 14.2 to 15.3; and large category 15.2 to 16.3 h.h. - Colour:
black and bay - Temperament:
Nonius horses have a calm, steady nature - Today:
the breed is divided into two types. The larger one is a carriage-type or light farm horse. When crossed with Thorougbred stallions, the Nonius mare produce all-around riding horses with jumping ability. The small type, which carries more Arabian blood, works very well both as a riding horse and in harness.
