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Orlov Trotter horse breed information
Orlov Trotter description
The Orlov Trotter is one of Russia's most highly respected breeds and considered the epoch of Russian Horse-Breeding. They are used for pleasure mounts and also as draft animals for agricultural work. Because they evolved in the natural pastures of flood plains in th Voroezh region of Russia, the Orlov Trotter is an adaptable animal suitable for all work and all climates. They are also used to improve the small native horses found throughout Eastern Europe. The Orlov Trotters are very fertile animals. They are large, distinctive animals. Their conformation is distinct with well-proportioned bodies, long muscular necks, medium withers, a long and flat back, and wide broad chest. Its legs are set properly with well-developed, somewhat coarse joints.
After the fall of the Soviet Union, the future of the breed seemed unclear since rich Russians interested in harness racing preferred the faster Russian and American trotters. Therefore, in 1997, the International Committee for the Protection of the Orlov Trotter was established. Purebred Orlov trotters are now raised on twelve stud farms in Russia and three in Ukraine. The studs in Russia have a total of about 800 mares, which raises some concern; it is a general rule that a horse breed with fewer than 1000 female individuals is in danger
Orlov Trotter color
Due to its Arabian origins, many Orlovs are gray, at maturity, though all are born a darker color at birth. At maturity, the colors of Orlovs are gray, black, bay or chestnut.
Orlov Trotter size
The Orlov Trotter stands 16 hh
Orlov Trotter weight
Orlov trotter can weight around 990 lbs (450kg)
Orlov Trotter temperament
The Orlov trotter is a versatile and willing worker. He has a quiet temperament.
Orlov Trotter life expectancy
The outstanding stallion Kvadrat was used as a sire up to the age of 32, while the mare Gondola, having won the most prestigious prize at the Bars hippodrome, equivalent to the Derby, lived to the age of 27 years and produced 17 foals.
Orlov Trotter origin
Russia
Orlov Trotter history
The Orlov Trotter gets its name from A.G. Orlov, who developed the breed at the Khrenov stud between 1775 and 1784. Bars I, the foundation stallion for the modern Orlov, was born in 1784. To breed the Orlov, Arabians were crossed with Mecklenburg, Dutch and Danish harness breeds. The Orlov evolved in the Voroezh region on the flood plains of the Bityug River. Four specific types developed as the Orlov Trotter adaptability made it suitable for movement around the country. Various studs, including the Dubroyski, Khrenov, Noyotomnikov and Perm studs, developed their own types that differ in external appearance. The Khrenov type is considered that standard. In the late 19th and early 20th century, the Orlov Trotter was crossed with the American Trotter, without controls being set, and a lot of damage to the breed was done. World War I and the Civil War also damaged the breed. The first volume of the Orlov studbook, established in 1927, listed 939 stallions and 1120 mares. In 1954 there were 3228 purebred mares registered. The horse then began to decline, however, registering only 432 stallions and 652 mares in 1982.
Orlov Trotter uses
Orlov trotters are very popular in Russia and several other countries, especially Scandinavian, for harness racing. Orlovs make ideal troika horses. The tall and massive Orlovs are liked by Russian mounted police. Of course, many Orlovs and especially Orlov crosses are used by farmers as a light carriage horse.
Orlov Trotter influence
Arab, Isabelline a Danish mare
Orlov Trotter interesting facts
The average speed of adult trotters is currently 2 min 20 sec for 1600m (record is 2 min 1 sec)
Orlov Trotter pictures
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