Altai Horse Breeds
The Altai Horse Breeds originated from the Altai Mountains of Central Asia. The development of this breed took a long phase of time. The harsh continental climate and the mountain taiga conditions become the main determinants which influenced the Altai development. Traditionally, the horses were very important to the tribesmen and nomad inhabitants in the mountainous region. Harsh conditions required horses with a strong heart, lungs, and muscles. Strong tendons and hard feet were additionally needed to support mountainous works of the local people who traveled a lot across streams and rivers. That’s why the Altai Horse Breeds developed to be hardy animals which traditional people in the mountains relied on very much.
Average length of the head is a typical feature of the Altai Horse Breeds. They look somewhat large and coarse with a fleshy neck. Meanwhile the Altai’s back looks slightly dipped and quite long. Well-developed croup and short legs are the other two physical characters of the Altai Horse Breeds. The horses with 140 cm withers height and 170 cm chest girth have a few colors like chesnut, bay, black and grey, and sometimes spotted. In general, the Altai mares are 137 to 170 cm tall with 18 cannon bone girth.
Finally, horse breeders came to an idea of crossing Altais with other breeds. The efforts resulted in larger, stronger horses with better healthiness and easier management. Lithuanian and Russians did frequent cross mating towards the Altai Horse Breeds in an attempt to produce a new breed for meat production purposes. The final endeavor of crossings reached its revolution when administered by the Soviet Governments which resulted in the bred ‘in purity’. The result of long crossing efforts has been presenting additional benefits to people as the original usefulness of the Altai Horses Breeds themselves had been so reliable for hard works.
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