Žemaitukas

The Žemaitukas is a rare breed of horse that is found in Lithuania.

They are a small, but sturdy breed that is known for their intelligence and gentle disposition.

If you are interested in learning more about this old breed, read on!

Žemaitukas Breed Info

Here are some of the key things you need to know about the Žemaitukas:

Height (size) 12.6 – 14.0 hands high
Colors Usually dun color, but brown, bay, black and palomino are also seen; primitive dorsal stripe is common
Country of Origin Lithuania
Common Uses General riding, farm work, in production of bigger sport horses

Žemaitukas Facts & Information (Breed Profile)

History of the Breed

The Žemaitukas is a Lithuanian horse breed with a long history regarded as part of the Lithuanian historic heritage.

Written records about the Žemaitukas date back to the 6th and 7th centuries, however, the early East steppe Tarpans, who arrived in Lithuania with the Indo-Europeans around 5000 years ago, are thought to be the ancestors of the Zemaitukas horses.

Even though its origin is quite unknown, it is related to the Polish Konik and the Estonian Native horse.

In the 13th and 14th centuries, during the Northern Crusades fought between Lithuanians and Crusaders, they became known as great war horses.

On several separate occasions, the breed came very close to extinction as a result of inbreeding, wars, and legislative changes.

During the 19th century, Arabian blood was introduced, giving the breed the distinctive dish-shaped Arabian profile.

The introduction of Arabian blood led to the development of two distinct types: those with Arabian lineage were thought to be good for riding, and the other, which was more closely related to the native horses, was better suited for farm work.

Following the end of World War II, the difference became less clear.

Žemaitukas in the 20th Century

At the conclusion of World War II, the Germans seized all of the Žemaitukas horses that were kept at the Gruzdiai stud farm.

In 1958, one stallion was found in Užventis, and he was moved to the Vilnius State Stud Farm to be used in the creation of a new generation of Žemaitukas.

In the 1990s, the fall of the Soviet Union and the rapid end of collective farming ushered in a new era of difficulty and complexity.

Horses from kolkhozes (collective farms) were handed to private owners, many of whom had little interest in the breed’s survival. In 1994, there were only 30 adult horses left.

Despite this, the horses were preserved by the Vilnius State Stud Farm, which continues to be the most important Žemaitukas breeding facility today.

A conscious attempt was made to improve the size and weight of the animals by limited crossbreeding with North Swedish Horse so that they could be used for both draft work and riding.

It is today a multi-purpose breed that is ridden, used on farms for draft work, and bred with lighter and bigger breeds to create sport horses.

If you’re interested in learning more about this fascinating breed, keep reading!

Alternative Names

“Zhemaichu”, “Zemaituka”, “Zhumd”, “Zhmudka Pony”

Temperament/Personality

Gentle temperament

Physical Characteristics

They are very hardy, possessing excellent stamina.

Because of its small size it may also be considered a pony.

Colors

Usually dun color, but brown, bay, black and palomino are also seen; primitive dorsal stripe is common

Height (size)

12.6 – 14.0 hands high

Stallions

n/a

Mares

n/a

Weight

n/a

Blood Type

Warm

Common Uses

General riding, farm work, in production of bigger sport horses

Health

Resistant to disease

Popular Traits

n/a

Feeding/Diet

n/a

Country of Origin

Lithuania

Ancestors

Tarpan (speculated)