Latvian
Conservation statusFAO, 2007: endangered-maintained[1]: 75 
Other names
  • Latvian: Latvijas šķirne
  • Latvian: Latvijas zirgi[1]: 75 
  • Russian: Latviiskaya[2]: 316 
  • Latvian Harness Horse[3]
  • Latvian Carriage Horse[4]
  • Latvian Coach Horse[4]
  • Latvian Draught[5]
  • Latvian Riding Horse[6]: 276 
Country of originLatvia
Traits
Weight
  • Male:
    600 kg[4]
  • Female:
    500 kg[4]
Height
  • Male:
    160[4] – 164[2]: 316  cm
  • Female:
    158[4] – 161[2]: 316  cm
Latvian harness horse

The Latvian Horse (Latvian: Latvijas šķirne or Latvijas zirgi) is a purpose-bred warmblood horse breed from Latvia. Breeding began in Latvia in the early twentieth century,[2]: 316  and a herd book was established in 1927.[4] The breed was officially recognised in 1952. There are two types, sometimes called the Latvian Harness Horse[3] and the Latvian Riding Horse.[6]: 276  The harness type was predominant until about 1960, when demand for sport horses increased and more of the saddle type were bred.[2]: 316 

History

The origins of the Latvian breed go back to 1856, when western European horses were cross-bred with native Latvian horses. In 1890 planned breeding was begun from ten different breeds,[4] principally Hanoverian and Oldenburger, with some Holsteiner influence. More than 100 Oldenburgers (65 stallions and 42 mares) were imported from Germany and the Netherlands between 1920 and 1941, and these were the basis of the breed, which was officially recognised in 1952.[2]: 316  From about 1960[2]: 316  or 1970,[6]: 276  Hanoverian, Arab and some Thoroughbred blood was used to create a lighter sport horse type, the Latvian Riding Horse.[2]: 316 [6]: 276 

References

  1. ^ a b Barbara Rischkowsky, D. Pilling (eds.) (2007). List of breeds documented in the Global Databank for Animal Genetic Resources, annex to The State of the World's Animal Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture. Rome: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. ISBN 9789251057629. Accessed October 2014.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h N.G. Dmitriev, L.K. Ernst (1989). Animal genetic resources of the USSR. FAO animal production and health paper 65. Rome: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. ISBN 9251025827. Archived 13 November 2009. Also available here, archived 29 September 2017.
  3. ^ a b Breed data sheet: Latvian Harness/Ukraine. Domestic Animal Diversity Information System of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Accessed October 2014.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h Breed data sheet: Latvijas šķirne/Latvia. Domestic Animal Diversity Information System of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Accessed October 2014.
  5. ^ Breed data sheet: Latvian Draught/Belarus. Domestic Animal Diversity Information System of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Accessed October 2014.
  6. ^ a b c d Elwyn Hartley Edwards (1994). The Encyclopedia of the Horse. London; New York; Stuttgart; Moscow: Dorling Kindersley. ISBN 0751301159.
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