Bashkir Horse Breed

From: Horse Breeds • Draft Horse Breeds List

Bashkir Horse
This lovely horse from Russia is short strong and stocky and immensely hardy, able to withstand the freezing temperatures and harsh winter conditions that occur in the foothills of the mountains where it comes from. It is sure footed and able to cross difficult terrain at speed with ease.

Originates
In the Ural mountains in the region of Bashkirsky Russia.

Height
13 to 14 HH

Colour
Bay, chestnut and brown.

Conformation

Head is thickset and large with a kind eye and large mobile ears.
Neck is short, strong and stocky.
Shoulders are fairly upright, well built and powerful.
Back is short and strong and fairly broad.
The body and girth are deep.
The chest is wide.
Hindquarters are well rounded and powerful.
The limbs are short, stocky and strong.
The tail is well set on.
Hard strong hooves.
Mane and tail are full and thick.

History
The Bashkir has great strength and toughness and is able to survive in harsh weather and icy conditions sometimes going down as low as - 40 degrees. The Bashkir was used in the Napoleonic and world war one both ridden and as a pack horse. The Bashkir grows a very thick coat and mane and tail in the winter to help to protect it from the weather and enabling it to survive on little forage. In order to survive what the Bashkir does is to use its hooves to dig down into the snow to uncover the hidden forage lying underneath.

Uses
A good all round riding horse and light draught horse.

Bashkir Fact
They have a very high milk yield and they produce a curly coat in winter that can also be spun into cloth.

American Bashkir Curly Registry
The ABCR aim to preserve, protect and promote this wonderful horse with its unique coat and offers information about shows, breeders, purchasing and events.