Horse
Pronunciation:
Mett-ish Traw-ter
Breed Description:
The Metis Trotter breed of horse, more widely known as the Russian Trotter, is a breed that was developed under the communist government of the former Soviet Union around the turn of the twentieth century. The breed was essentially created as a source of pride for the country, as it sought to improve the top trotting speed of one of its national symbols- the Orlov Trotter. The Metis Trotter is most often bay in color, but may also be black, chestnut, or gray. The head is narrow and features a straight profile, gentle eyes, and ears that are capable of a wide range of movements. The chest is both deep and broad, rising up to sloping shoulders and a long and straight neck. The back is also straight and is exceptionally well muscled, and the withers are of moderate proportions. The legs are often bowed or have close hock joints, but the hooves are typically well-formed. The deformations generally found in the breed can often be an asset, as they help the Metis Trotter change or adjust gaits and speed more quickly than other trotter or harness types.
Temperament:
The Metis or Russian Trotter is a calm and very reserved animal that exhibits bouts of energy when requested from handlers. As a result of its quiet and gentle disposition, the Metis Trotter horse is easy to train and could be put to a multitude of uses, although it is used almost exclusively as a trotter or racing/harness horse. The Metis Trotter breed of horse is widely distributed throughout its native land of Russia, and as a result is often kept as a family pet, milking animal, or even for meat. This means that the Metis Trotter is accustomed to close associations with humans and is therefore kind and gentle.
Height:
15.3 hh to 16 hh
Health Problems:
There are a number of health problems found in the Metis Trotter, and nearly all of them are related to the poor breeding practices that resulted in an animal of undesirable conformation. Most of these issues are only related to performance and appearance, and do not actually negatively impact the physical health of the animal. In cases where afflictions occur, they are usually the result of clipping the front feet, or by injuries caused by the sometimes awkward gait of this breed. The Metis Trotter may suffer from conditions found in the breeds used to develop the horse, which are primarily the Standardbred and the Orlov Trotter.
Origin:
The communist government of the old Soviet Union utilized Standardbred horses imported from America, and crossed them with native Orlov Trotters during the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. Their primary goal was to produce a breed that was faster at the trot than the Orlov Trotter. The breeding plan worked, but only to varying degrees, as the horses produced were faster, but of substandard quality when compared to the Standardbred or the Orlov. In order to refine the breed, the Soviet Union instituted studs at various places across the old Soviet Republic, and the breed quality improved overall. However, the Metis Trotter was not formally recognized as a regulated breed with specific standards until the 1950’s. Breeding of the Metis Trotter horse continues to this day, which includes continually infusions of Standardbred blood. 