Origin
Hungary
History
Hungary has been long renowed for its Arabian horses. Unfortunately, being positioned geographically as the centerpiece of Europe, it was subjected to successive wars, invasions, revolutions and shifts of political frontiers that continually disrupted the long-term management of its great studs. The Shagya Arab derived from the pure Arabian and evolved during the 19th century at Bábolna.
Founded in 1769, Bábolna was originally an overflow establishment to Mezóhegyes, Hungary´s main stud. It followed the same policies designed to produce both quality cavalry horses and a heavier type for artillery. However, the policy changed in 1816, and the emphasis was laid firmly on purebred Arabians imported from an authentic „desert" background; purebreds bred at the stud, the progeny of the imported stock; and part-breds, which were usually named „Arab Race". These part-breds were the product of purebred Arabian stallions crossed with mares carrying strains of Hungarian, Spanish, or Thoroughbred blood.
The Shagya Arab originated at Bábolna. The founding sire was the stallion Shagya, an Arabian of the Kehilan/Siglavy strain, who was born in Syria in 1830. He was bought for Bábolna in 1836 and stood there until 1842. Shagya was big for an Arabian horse measuring 15.21/2 hh and was said to be a distinctive cream colour. He sired a number of successful sons who ensured the continuation of the Shagya dynasty. In the past, the Shagya was used as the mount for the Hungarian hussar and as such proved itself to be a swift, enduring, and very hardy cavalry horse.
The breed was simpy called „Arab" until 1982, but following that year the name was officially changed to Shagya Arab after the most popular strain.
The Shagya Arab is now also bred in Germany, Poland, Austria, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Russia and enjoys a worldwide reputation.
Description
- Head:
concave in profile with high-set, small ears, large eyes with a vivid expression, and wide nostrils - Conformation:
in general appearance, the Shagya looks like the desert Arab, the only difference being the larger size-neck, long, slender, slightly arched, with a fine, silky mane-withers, medium high and long-short loin-croup, narrow, of medium length, and scantily muscled-barrel not as deep as in some other breeds but still well sprung-strong legs with good, dry joints - Average height:
15 to 16 h.h. - Colour:
overwhelmingly grey with some bays and rarely black or chestnut - Temperament:
vivacious, hard, enduring, yet docile and easily managed - Today:
it is a high-quality saddle and leisure horse but it adapts easy to working in harness. It is also used to improve other breeds, adding good conformation, elegance and constitutional strength.
