Description of Trakehner horses, maintenance rules and cost

The Trakehner is a hardy horse breed that is ideal for equestrians. It is distinguished by its submissive disposition and unpretentiousness. Trakehner horses were bred in Germany, where they were used in military battles. Currently, Trakens are popular participants in equestrian sports competitions. The elegant appearance of the representatives of the breed and their performance make Trakehner horses favorites of breeders.

Origin of the Trakehner horse

The first mention of the breed dates back to the beginning of the 13th century, the place of action is Prussia. During this period of time, Trakens were used as riding horses for military battles. The horses were distinguished by their endurance and demonstrated excellent speed when moving across terrain. The ancestors of the breed are Prussian mares of the forest type and stallions of eastern blood.

At the beginning of the 18th century, the first stud farm was created to breed an elegant breed; Trakens officially acquired breed status, became part of the German cavalry army, and even received the right to transport members of royal families in a carriage. At the same time, representatives of the breed gained popularity among farmers and were used as cargo draft animals.

Horses were first brought to Russia at the beginning of the 20th century. Most often, stallions were used in cavalry. After the Great Patriotic War, a stud farm was built in the Rostov region, where they are currently breeding Russian Trakens. Horses take an active part in equestrian competitions, where they achieve worthy victories.

Description of the breed

Trakehner horses are distinguished by their versatility in use and find their place in sports, farming, and take prizes at various exhibitions. Let's take a look at the exterior of these exquisite beauties.

Exterior Features

A refined and elegant silhouette, from which it is impossible to take your eyes off, is an undoubted aesthetic advantage of the breed. A well-shaped head, soulful big eyes, a straight profile, light legs, shiny coat, tall stature - the horse seems ideal.

The main color of the suit is black, but there are gray, bay and red specimens. In addition, Trakens have a piebald gene, so the presence of spotted specimens in the breed is allowed; previously such representatives were discarded.

Stallions are distinguished by a powerful and wide chest, long shoulder blades and a strong body. The position of the legs is correct, the height at the withers in males is up to 173 centimeters, in females – up to 165 centimeters. The average weight of a horse is 500 kilograms.

Character and learning ability

The Prussian horse breed is famous for its submissive disposition, diligence and friendliness. But due to the fact that a large number of bloods are included in the genotype, the character of many animals is very ambiguous. Among the stallions you can find obstinate and even aggressive horses. Some specimens do not like to be harnessed, while others, on the contrary, are ready to work all day. Due to their high level of intelligence and obedience, Trakens are suitable for any equestrian sport and are easy to train.

Performance

Even in ancient times, the breed was valued for its endurance, ability to work and maneuverability. Horses can develop good speed over rough terrain, confidently overcoming obstacles. Trakens are suitable for both sports and farming. For physical development, a combined training system is used. The more often you train your horse, the better athletic shape the animal will be.

Pros and cons of content

To create a complete “portrait” of a representative of the breed, we will highlight the positive and negative aspects of Prussian horses. Pros:

1. Appearance – you can’t take your eyes off the graceful horse.
2. Submissive disposition and friendly character.
3. Intelligence, ability to learn and train.
4. Endurance and courage.
5. Jumping and running qualities.
6. Versatility in use.
7. Hard work and efficiency.
8. Gracefulness.

The disadvantages of German horses include:

1. Weak immunity, tendency to various diseases, frequent mortality of young animals.
2. Genetically weak joints, hernias may occur.
3. Pampering and capriciousness in purebred breeding horses.

The shortcomings of the breed can be easily corrected by providing the horses with the right conditions and systematic care.

Where is it used?

Trakehner horses are versatile in use. Stallions are actively involved in farming work; representatives of the breed achieve great success in equestrian sports. Males are often used in breeding work, improving the qualities of the main breeds in the stable.

In large cities, Trakens are used by mounted police to patrol the streets. Horses of this breed are used for hiking in areas where it is not possible to travel by car.

Content Features

The main requirement for keeping horses is cleanliness. Regular cleaning and disinfection of stables is recommended. Animals must have constant access to clean drinking water. Horses need to be washed and monitor the condition of the hooves.

Premises requirements

Each representative of the Trakehner horse breed needs a separate stall in which a feeder and water bowl are placed. The bedding on the floor must be fresh and changed at least once a week. There should be no drafts in the room where horses are kept, and the stable must be ventilated. In regions with cold climates, the walls, floor and ceiling of the room should be insulated.

Competent diet planning

In order for a horse to demonstrate all the advantages of the breed and exhibit genetic qualities, it is important to provide the horses with high-quality food and create a balanced feeding diet depending on the age and physical activity of the animal.

Main feeding

The basis of the horse's diet is hay, vegetables and feed. The amount of feed is calculated based on the age and physical activity of the animal. Feeding rules:

• portions should be small;
• in winter it is recommended to add a vitamin complex;
• new food is introduced in stages;
• feeders and drinking bowls must be clean, utensils must be disinfected periodically, and heat treatment is required;
• After feeding, the horse needs to rest a little; the pet is sent for walking an hour after eating.

Important! There should be no rodents in the room where artiodactyls are fed. Mice and rats carry infectious diseases that can be transmitted to horses.

Throughout the entire time the animal is in the stall, it must have access to clean drinking water.

Nutritional supplements

It is recommended to include food additives and vitamin premixes in the basic diet of horses. Table salt should always be present in the diet of adult artiodactyls. Important Supplements Horses Need:

1. Retinol.
2. Carotene in oil.
3. Granuvit E.
4. Calcium pantothenate.
5. Trivitamin.
6. Methane fermentation concentrate.
7. Yeast.
8. Lysine concentrate.

In addition to the above additives, the diet of racers and draft horses includes pure vitamins and dietary supplements, such as flaxseed oil, garlic, dried kelp, nettle and others.

Important! If you decide to diversify the diet of sports horses with supplements, do so with caution and follow the dosage, some components can cause a positive doping test.

Hygiene and horse care

For the prevention of diseases, the well-being of animals and their neat appearance, pets must be washed. This procedure must be carried out regularly, once a week; in hot weather, horses are given a bath more often. The mane and tail are washed with shampoo and conditioner. After washing, the horses are wiped dry and combed. To avoid hoof disease, make sure to provide clean, dry bedding for your animal.

Grazing

Horses are trained and walked no earlier than an hour after eating. Active horses need daily walks and grazing. The duration of the walk is from 3 hours. The more often you train your horse, the better athletic and physical shape the animal will be. Trakens cannot be kept in stables without the possibility of grazing.

Horseshoe

Well-groomed hooves are an indicator of an animal’s health. The horseshoe for the horses' hoof is selected individually, according to the size. The animal should be comfortable, and its “shoes” should protect its legs from injury and damage. Racehorses are shod differently than draft animals.

Vaccinations and disease prevention

Timely vaccinations will protect handsome horses from a large number of dangerous infectious diseases. In addition to administering vaccines, animals must be regularly dewormed and treated for parasites. Even if your horse appears healthy, he needs routine checkups with a veterinarian.

If signs of disease are detected, the animal is quarantined. Keep mice and rats out of the stable.Stalls must be regularly disinfected, and the premises must be constantly ventilated. Food for artiodactyls is selected of high quality and fresh, because they are prone to poisoning, it is recommended to boil water, and vegetables are first doused with boiling water.

Breeding prospects

Breeding stallions of the Trakehner breed are often purchased for the purpose of improving the domestic breed in a private stable. To preserve the purity of the breed, this is not recommended. Males reach sexual maturity at the age of two years. But in order to obtain healthy offspring, breeders recommend waiting until the age of 3-4 years. Foals of pure blood are in demand on the market and, if the pedigree is preserved, are valued at a lot of money.

Cost of the animal

Trakehner horses of pure blood are highly respected among professional breeders. Horses of this breed are in demand in sporting competitions, where they achieve great success and break records, while they are obedient, easy to train and devoted to humans.

Depending on the pedigree, sporting achievements of the animal and age, the price is determined, which can reach half a million rubles. Before purchasing an animal, read the documentation and obtain a medical certificate about its health status. If the price looks low, then there is a risk of purchasing an old horse. Buy foals from stud farms.

Interesting facts about horses

The Trakehner breed is famous in sporting circles and is valued for its intelligence and endurance. Facts about racing elite thoroughbred beauties:

1. On the legs of thoroughbred mares and stallions there is a mark in the form of elk antlers, reminiscent of the animal’s belonging to the Trakehner breed.
2. Trakens are the only breed of sport horses that are bred purebred, without crossing with other species.
3. The breed's sporting achievements include victories in the Olympic Games and world championships.
4. Endurance, elegance, intelligence, character and ability to work are qualities combined in one breed.

Trakens are valued by breeders; the breed is considered elite. Despite its centuries-old history, the breed has been preserved in its pure form and is still one of the best in the equestrian sports arena.