Origin
Former Soviet Union
History
This breed was developed almost simultaneously with the Vladimir at the state stud farms at Khrenov (near Moscow) and Derkul in the Ukraine. At first, Ardennes stallions from Sweden were crossed with Ukraine mares and with a variety of others, including the Belgian Heavy Draft and some Percherons. Orlov Trotters were also used to give increased activity.
The breed was introduced at the Paris Exhibition in 1900 and until the 1920s, it was known as the Russian Ardennes. Unfortunately World War I, followed by the Civil War, nearly wiped the new breed out entirely. By 1924 only 92 Ardennes stallions were left in Russia. But then a new breeding program was initiated with the aim of producing an amenable horse with a good action that was suitable for general agricultural work. By 1937 the stock of purebreds had been reconstituted and isolated again as an independant breed. In 1952, it was finally registered as the Russian Heavy Draft Horse.
The Russian Heavy Draft Horse has become widespread due to its high profit feeding and adaptability. It is now bred in the Ukraine and North Caucasus, in Udmurtia and Byelorussia, in Kirov, Sverdlovsk, Perm, Vologda, and Archangel regions, as well as in western Siberia.
Description
- Head:
notable for its lightness and attractive expression - Conformation:
the Russian Heavy Draft is built like a heavy cob, with a strong frame and lively movement. -neck, short, broad and fleshy-chest, wide and deep-back, long, broad and sometimes rather soft-croup, long and drooping-legs, short, clean, set well apart, carrying very little feathering-hooves, of medium size and in proportion to the rest of the body - Average height:
14.2 to 15 h.h. - Colour:
the usual colours are strawberry roan and chestnut - Temperament:
smart, very willing and patient - Today:
the agricultural economy, less advanced than that of Western Europe, encourages the breeding of work horses. Moreover, the Russian Heavy Draft horses have a long life expectancy and can be used at stud at over 20 years of age, as well as for agricultural work.
