Žemaitukas
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Žemaitukas | ||
|---|---|---|
 Žemaitukas |
||
| Alternative names: | Zhmud Zhemaichu |
|
| Country of origin: | Lithuania | |
The Žemaitukas, Zhmud, or Zhemaichu (literally, 'little Samogitian') is a pony breed from Lithuania known since the 16th century.[1] It was used as a war horse by the Lithuanians during the Northern Crusades. Its origin is uncertain, but most studies point to its ancestry as a cross between indigenous breeds and the Konik, a Polish breed, which were both probably descended from the Tarpan. The breed contributed to the foundation of the Trakehner.[2] During the 20th century, Russian breeds influenced the Žemaitukas, as well as light Polish horses.
[edit] Breed Characteristics
Arabian blood was added during the 19th century, giving the horse an Arab-type head, including the characteristic dish-shaped Arabian profile. The infusion of Arabian blood created two subtypes of the Žemaitukas: those with Arabian ancestry were considered suitable for riding, while the other, more closely related to the indigenous horses, was better adapted to farm work. After World War II, the distinction was muted. A deliberate effort was made to increase the size and bulk of the animals so that they could be used for both riding and draft work.
The ponies are said to be hardy, possessing excellent stamina and endurance, and displaying a willing temperament. It is now a multi-purpose breed; it is ridden, used in farm work, and crossed with lighter and larger breeds to produce sport horses.
The ponies are usually a dun color and often display the primeval dorsal stripe, but they may also be brown, bay, black, or palomino. The Žemaitukas generally stands between 13.2 and 14.2 hands (1.37 to 1.47 m) high, placing it among the taller pony breeds.
As with other domestic animals around the world, studies have been carried out on this horse's genetic heritage, since it may possess unique characteristics.[3] The FAO Mission Conference for Central and Eastern European countries recognized the Žemaitukas as an internationally watched breed, and included it into the FAO World Watch List for domestic animal diversity. Maternal DNA sequencing indicated that one of its haplotypes is similar to an old haplotype present in horse breeds of the North East European area.
[edit] References
- ^ "Zhemaichu (Zhmudka)". Oklahoma State University. http://www.ansi.okstate.edu/breeds/horses/zhemaichu/index.htm. Retrieved on 2009-05-23.
- ^ Bonnie Lou Hendricks, Anthony A. Dent (1995). International Encyclopedia of Horse Breeds. University of Oklahoma. http://books.google.com/books?id=rhNFW0sD3jMC&pg=PA449&lpg=PA449&dq=%C5%BDemaitukas+trakehner&source=web&ots=fc8dOB1SpR&sig=_pLirnWZp0k9HxDTNrSIzzCnJOU&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=7&ct=result.
- ^ Genetic characterization of the Žemaitukas (p. 174-178)
 |
This horse article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
|
||||||||||||||||||||
.jpg)
