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Lithuanian
Animal Genetic Resources |
Horses:
Žemaitukai |
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Žemaitukai
is an ancient Lithuanian local breed of horses having unique genetic
information. This breed was known already in VI-VII centuries, and
became especially famous during the XIII-XIV century wars with the
Crusaders, when they proved to be excellent fighting horses. Žemaitukai
are supposed to have descended from eastern steppe horses that were
brought to Lithuania by Indo-Europeans about 5 thousand years ago;
they were evolving together with the Lithuanian nation. Since XIX c.
Žemaitukai have been used for agriculture, transportation, and
export.
Rapid
decline of Žemaitukai horses after 1990 was caused by changes in the
national economic life, and deranged activity of the stockbreeding
system. In 1994 the total number of Žemaitukai horses reached its
lowest point, only 30. In the beginning of the Žemaitukai
preservation activity, horses of this breed only amounted to 0.03% of
total number of horses raised in Lithuania. A preservation program
started at the Lithuanian Institute of Animal Science in 1994 as well
as formation of thoroughbred herds, monitoring, and analysis of
farming-biological qualities stopped the decline of Žemaitukai horse
breed, and today its effective population (Ne) is 55; however, the
breed remains under the threat of extinction.
Established
in 1997, the Žemaitukai Horse Breeders Association has prepared and
been implementing the Žemaitukai breeding program, as well as keeping
the herd book. Starting with 1948, data on thoroughbred Žemaitukai
were entered into general state books on horse herd. However,
inconsistent nature of such records could not give a realistic picture
of the breed status or the improvement course. The first herd book of
Žemaitukai breed, prepared and issued in 2002, included 104
thoroughbred horses. There being no common horse identification system
in Lithuania, Žemaitukai horses are identified by the description of
their characteristics.
Žemaitukai
are universal horses belonging to the pony class. Their height at
withers range from 128 to 142 cm, weight 360-420 kg, and chest size
from 154 cm up to 187 cm. Žemaitukai are distinguished by quite
weighty body, but thin yet strong legs and energetic character provides
these horses with agility and manoeuvring abilities. They are good for
working, travelling, riding, breeding, hypotherapy, and sports.
Until
World War II Žemaitukai were taking part in horse testing and have
achieved good results in strength testing, cart races on lake ice, and
long distance (60-80 km) trotting. With the breed coming close to
extinction after World War II, only large horses were being tested. In
2001 the Žemaitukai Horse Breeders Association initiated the
evaluation of horse working abilities by testing their jump power,
trotting speed, and endurance.
Žemaitukai
attract attention with their exterior and colours. At the moment
majority of them are bay or black; others are light bay, dark bay, and
mouse-dun.
The
Žemaitukai breed gave rise to such breeds as Trakėnai,
Lithuanian heavy horses, and large Žemaitukai horses. The Žemaitukai
breed was recognised as worth preserving on the international level.
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