Don Horse Breed

From: Horse Breeds

Don Horse
This lovely looking horse has a good temperament and active agile paces making it an excellent all purpose riding horse. Its tough endurance qualities have helped it to survive in the harsh climates of its homeland.

Originates
The Don originates from the Don steppe in Russia.

Height
15.2 to 16 HH

Colour
Chestnut, bay and brown.

Conformation

The head is fairly small with a big kind eye, wide nostrils and alert expression.
The neck is of medium length and quite high set on.
The withers are of medium height.
The back is wide straight and long in length.
Hindquarters are rounded and powerful.
The limbs are straight and clean often with upright pasterns.
Shoulders are fairly upright and well muscled.
The tail is well set on.
Mane and tail are fairly sparse.
Chest is wide.

Uses
All purpose riding horse.

History
During the Napoleonic wars the Don horses were used by the Russian cavalry and by the Don Cossacks, where due to the Dons stamina, agility and toughness they rode them into battle with great affect.
The breed itself is a mixture of native Russian horses bred with among others Karabakh, Orlov Trotter, Thoroughbred and Persian horses to produce a tough horse with tremendous endurance qualities.