Orel breed of horses: characteristics, photos and description

Orel breed of horses is a pearl in the crown of Russian horse breeding. Even the most remote from this man at least once in his life heard the expression "Orlov trotter." Swift and irresistible, proud and beautiful, these horses, whatever you say, match your motherland, for which, in turn, became a national treasure.

What prompted Count Orlov to study horse breeding

The eighteenth century in Russia is a troubled time, marked by a series of coups d'état. It was on the eve of one of them that Count Alexei Orlov, a favorite of the future Empress Catherine the Great, was traveling with her from Peterhof to the royal palace to overthrow Peter III.

But before reaching the place only a few versts, the Neapolitan horses, drawn from abroad, simply stood up, so much they were driven. The entire operation was slipping under the slope, the fate of the conspirators, and indeed of the whole of Russia, was hanging by a thread. I had to quickly find a replacement for horses in the surrounding villages.

After this incident, Count Orlov set out to bring out the Russian breed, which will be hardy, beautiful, fast and will never fail, getting up halfway from home. But from the idea to the embodiment of this Count's dream will be more than one year.

A horse named Smetanka

After the brilliant victory of the Russian fleet in the battle of Chesme, Alexei Orlov visited the Turkish sultan, where he bought for a completely fabulous money (50,000 rubles) a tall, light-gray Arabian horse. This purchase was to become a cornerstone in the creation of his new breed.

A horse named Smetanka was taken from Turkey to a horse farm in the village of Ostrov near Moscow for about two years. But his tribal career was short-lived. He lived away from his homeland for only a year, leaving behind him 4 stallions and a mare.

Either the long road about the health of the hot Arabian handsome man, or the accident about which the stables' workers talked for a long time, somehow, the horse did not die.

There were rumors that the groom had pulled too sharply for the bridle, when the horse was drinking, he stumbled and hit his head against the stones. Saving the animal failed. The groom was found hanged in the hayloft.

History of breed development

In selection everything is decided by chance. It is possible to cross breeds for years and eventually stay with a broken trough. But Alexei Orlov fate smiled and this time. All four sons of Smetanka from the mace of the Danish mare were very interesting in terms of breeding, especially the latter, named Polkan.

Polkan took a lot from his overseas father - a beautiful to become, high growth, and most importantly, a quick tireless trot, in short, everything that the retired count wanted to get. This horse began to be crossed with Dutch and Mecklenburg harnesses and as a result received another diamond - the stallion named Bars I. It even more vividly expressed the harnessed forms, and the grace of the Arab horses, and, of course, the ability for a lively trot.

It was Bars I who became the main breeding animal at the new horse farm of Count Orlov - Khrenovskoye, built in the Voronezh province, on lands donated by Catherine II. Bars I also covered Norfolk trotting mares, and Dutch, and Danish. At different times, the Orel breed of horses was fueled with fresh blood, but all the animals born in Khrenovsky were descendants of Barca I.

Characteristics of the Orel breed of horses

The people about the Oryol trotters said: "Under the water, and under the voevoda." Really, tall, hardy, stately and fast, they could be used almost everywhere, such it, this Orel breed of horses. In Russia, animals were used as horse and harness, they plowed on them, they also went to war with them.

Orel trotting horses are classified as large. The height at the withers is 162-170 cm with weight 500-550 kg. These horses are massive and lean at the same time. The Orel breed of horses is distinguished by a strong strong bone structure, quickness and ease of movement, thin, but surprisingly strong legs.

Head at orlovtsev large enough, slightly elongated, with a beautiful chiseled profile. The lower part of the forehead is slightly convex, below the bridge of the nose, on the contrary, there is some concavity.

The neck of the Oryol trotters is often compared with the swan, so graceful its bends. The body is round, rather wide and somewhat elongated.

The image is completed by lively, inquisitive, very expressive eyes and large mobile ears.

Morals and behavioral features

The nature of the Orel horse is quiet and flexible. These animals are tireless workers who unquestioningly carry out everything that the owner requires of them. Many owners note their kind disposition and friendliness to everything living.

However, one should not think that these horses are quiet, gentle and weak-willed, it is not so. Still, the blood of their hot southern ancestor of Arab blood flows in them. And that means a lot. They are by nature very mobile, quick and curious.

The colors of the Oryol trotters

When you look at the photo of the horses of the Oryol trotting breed, it becomes clear that they do not have a certain color. Although one suit still prevails - gray in apples. About half of all Oryol horses have exactly this color.

So different is this breed of horses, Orlov trotter can be both bay and black. But the rarest specimens are solo and brown. The gene responsible for the inheritance of cream color, the Orel breed of horses received from the mare a mare, the mother of the same Polkan.

The famous Orlov trotters

One of the most famous Oryol trotters was a stallion named Krepysh. At the dawn of the twentieth century, his name thundered on hippodromes throughout the country. People from all over Russia and foreign countries came to see the unbeaten champion. Large, in a good way stubborn, he really wanted to win, beating all the records known to him. He performed on the races 80 times, 55 of which came first.

Interesting is the fact that when Krepysh was still at a tender age, his name was only "a mosquito with long legs" - so he was an awkward and awkward colt. Who could have known then that this "mosquito" would turn into a stout gray apple in the stallion that glorified the Orel breed to the whole world.

Another representative of the Orel horse breed became known in the postwar years. Stallion named Kvadrat, according to experts, was one of the most beautiful trotters in the world. He was inferior to other horses in speed, but won the match for the contest due to his unprecedented endurance and perseverance.

There is a well-known case when the rider let go of the Rein of the Square, because he thought that this time he could not win, and did not waste the animal. The square decided in its own way, he not only did not slow down the pace, but also caught up with his rivals and at the last meters he stretched his head forward. Photo Finish showed that he had crossed the final straight nose of Kvadrat first! How popular was the Orel breed of horses then! Photos of the Square adorned the editorials of many famous publications.

At the end of the sports career, the Square became a good producer, his blood flows in most modern Oryol trotters.

Care and maintenance features

For years Count Alexei Orlov honed the characteristics of his new breed. One of the criteria was great endurance and unpretentiousness. Mare was specially kept in rather cold stalls and fed with coarse whole oats.

But this does not mean at all that in our days Orlov's horses should be kept in similar Spartan conditions. For the health and well-being of a horse, she needs a clean and spacious stall, which is regularly ventilated.

The floor of the box should not have cracks or holes, as this can cause an animal injury. Nowadays, special rubber coatings are often used, they reduce the load on the horse's legs. Straw is used as a litter or sawdust.

Every day every horse needs cleaning the wool with a special brush made of natural hair, the Oryol trotters are no exception. Also, after intensive loads of perspiring horse, you should immediately wipe it, as the heated animal can easily catch a cold.

The horses' hooves are carefully inspected and cleaned after each run. To prevent cracking and preserve a beautiful and well-groomed appearance, the hooves are lubricated with a special composition based on mutton fat, honey, wax and turpentine.

A balanced and regular diet is another important aspect in caring for a horse. The basis of the diet is usually good hay and selected oats. In the food should be present vegetables and in the warm season fresh grass.

Clean and cold water should always be at the horse.

Prices for Orel horses

The cost of such beauty primarily depends on why it is purchased. If a private stables with a view to go from time to time, a trained horse of 5-9 years will cost 150-200 thousand rubles.

Another thing, if for the Oryol trotter is predicted a rich sports career. In this case, his parents are considered and their titles, the external parameters of the horse and its speed. The order of prices in this case will be different. For pedigree breeding, statues and animals that meet all parameters are also selected. Their price is sometimes sky-high.

Orlovsky trotter - the same symbol of Russia, as a nesting doll or a Tula samovar. Our task is to preserve this treasure, no matter how hard times are, it is part of our history, part of our Russian heart.