Don Horse

Country of Origin: Russia

The Russian Don Horse serves superbly both in harness and under saddle. This breed was the mount of the famed and feared Cossack Cavalry. It was the Cossack's skill at breeding that made the Don such a rugged horse. The breed originated in the area near the Don and Volga Rivers in the southern Soviet Union. Originally, this was a small horse, but during the 1800s large numbers of the Persian Arabs and Karabakh breeds were bred to the Don. The result was a larger, more refined horse, which combined the durability of the older type and the more pleasing conformation of the imported stock. Traditionally, the Don has roamed in herds, enduring harsh winters with little food and only the heartiest have survived.

Physical Description

The Don Horse has a refined head with a straight or sometimes hooked nose, large nostrils, and expressive eyes. The neck is lean and often straight. The withers are not prominent; the shoulders are quite straight, giving the Don a rather short stride. Its chest is substantial and muscular. The back is long and the legs are clean. The Don stands between 15.1 and 16 hands and appears in varying solid colors such as chestnut, bay and gray. The breed is noted for an even temperament and great power of endurance.

Origin

The Don Horse, a native of the former Soviet Union, gained its name from the region near the Don River where it has been bred since the 1700s. In the past two centuries, the original breed received blood from numerous other breeds including the Persian Arab, Karabakh, Orlov Trotter and Thoroughbred.

Interesting Facts

The Don Horse's greatest characteristic is its incredible stamina. The Cossack Cavalry, which contributed to Napoleon's defeat in Russia, pursued the French all the way to Paris mounted on Don Horses. Few breeds could have withstood such a punishing task. In 1951, a stallion named Zenith covered 311.6 kilometers in 24 hours (including only 4 hours of rest). In recent years, the Don has gained widespread respect as a saddle horse. It is still used in harness, however, often in the traditional "Tachanka,"a hitch in which four horses are harnessed side-by-side.

Influences 1. Karabakh 2. Akhal-Teke 3. Thoroughbred 4. Arabian

For More Information:

Troika/Gateway to Russian Breeds (An excellent site)
Don Horse History and Statistics/Horsetalk
Russian Don

Sources:

Permission given by my dear friend, Cowboy Frank, to use his breeds section.
Oklahoma State University list of livestock breeds