Horse
Pronunciation:
al-BAY-nee-an
Breed Description:
The Albanian breed of horse is a small horse, used primarily for riding, to pull light carriages, and for light draft work. Despite its size, it is very strong. Traditionally there were two types of Albanian horses: the Mountain type and the Myzeqea (plains) type. The Myzeqea was slightly larger and possessed a unique ambling gait, making it a good horse for distance riding. Over the years, the two types of the Albanian breed of horse have been crossed, until they became difficult to differentiate; however, the ambling gait is still apparent in many individuals. The Albanian breed of horse is known today for its ease of movement, particularly over difficult terrain. It is also thought to be a horse of great endurance. It was traditionally a horse used primarily for riding and transport. However, current breeding efforts in its native land are geared toward crossing it with draft breeds - most notably the Austrian Haflinger - to develop a bigger horse better suited to agricultural work.
Height:
Averages 12.2 hands to 13.2 hands, or 50" to 54" at the withers.
Health Problems:
The Albanian breed of horse is thought to be quite disease free.
Origin:
The Albanian breed of horse originated in the Balkans, in what is now Albania. In the late Middle Ages, the native horses of the Albanian region were crossed with those of invading Turks, and this continued throughout the duration of the Ottoman empire. This created a horse that was spirited and excellent for riding, with the blood of Tarpan, Turkmenian and Mongolian horses. 