Russian Trotter

Origin
Former Soviet Union

History
Harness racing horses have been bred with enthusiasm in Russia ever since the Orlov Stud begann to develop the Orlov Trotter in the 18^th century. However, by the second half of the 19^th century, the American Standardbred has established its superiority over all the other trotting breeds. Therefore, in order to compete internationally with any hope of success, it was necessary for Russian breeders to improve the performance of the outclassed Orlov dramatically. As a result, the best of the Orlov stock was used a a base and crossed with imported American Standardbreds. Between 1890 and the beginning of the First World War, some 156 stallions and 220 Standardbred mares were imported to Russia. Among these were some high-quality horses such as General Forrest, Bob Douglas and Cresceus.
The crossings between selected Orlov stock and these horses produced animals which were faster, but smaller and less elegant than the Orlov. A program was therefore introduced with the object not only of continuing to increase the trotting speed but also of improving the size and conformation.
The First World War prevented further American imports, but while the existing imported stock continued to be used, a program of interbreeding the crossbreds was initiated, which sometimes employed the sound genetic practice of crossing back to the old Orlov.
By the early 1930s the carefully conceived program had increased the height and improved the frame, body measurements, and overall conformation. Nevertheless, the Russian Trotter was not recognized as a breed until 1949.
Today the Russian Trotter is bred principally in the Moscow area, also the home of Moscow´s most important raceway, the Moscow Hippodrome.

Description
Head:
plain, straight in the profile, and broad across the forehead with the eyes set well to the outside
Conformation:
the modern Russian Trotter is light but has pronounced muscular development and fairly hard, clean legs. The cannons are short with better ligaments and tendons than before. The hooves are sound and strong. It might possess such defects such as occasional instances of sickle- or cowhocks, over-sloped croups and sometimes a shortening of the body length, which acts against the trotting action.
Average height:
the modern standard calls for a height of 16hh for stallions and 15.3 hh for mares. A bone measurement of 73/4 in (19.9 cm) is required below the knee.
Colour:
the predominant colour is bay, although chestnut, black and grey also occur.
Today:
among trotting breeds, the Russian has to be rated as a useful performer of moderate but not outstanding ability, but one well suited to the harness-racing sport in its own country.