Horse
Pronunciation:
Rush'-yan Trot'-ter
Breed Description:
The Russian Trotter breed of horse is a harness horse used mainly for racing. It was developed in Russia to compete in harness racing with the Orlov Trotter, but the breed has struggled to achieve the standard of the Orlov. However, it is a fast trotting harness horse, recording records of trotting a mile in under two minutes. It origins include significant additions of American Standardbred horses, and like the Standardbred most Russian Trotters are bay, but some can be black, chestnut or rarely gray.
Temperament:
The Russian Trotter breed of horse,like its Standardbred ancestors, has a quiet and trainable temperament yet can be spirited and competitive when racing.
Height:
The Russian Trotter breed of horse stands between 15.3 and 16hh
Health Problems:
The Russian Trotter breed of horse is associated with poor lower leg conformation, which may actually enhance its speed by allowing the legs to swing around in a fast trot, but which can lead to injuries and conditions such as bowed tendons and curbs. Standardbred influence is resulting in smaller horses and poor fertility, but controlled breeding is seeking to eradicate these problems.
Living Conditions:
The Russian Trotter breed of horse is remarkably hardy for a racing breed and can tolerate greater extremes of temperature than most competition horse breeds.
Exercise:
The Russian Trotter breed of horse is a racing breeds and needs consistent training and regular work.
Life Expectancy:
The Russian Trotter breed of horse lives into its early twenties, with many individuals living only into the late teens.
Grooming:
The Russian Trotter breed of horse needs little grooming and is normally kept with a natural appearance.
Origin:
The Russian Trotter breed of horse originated over a century ago from crossing Orlov trotters and American Standardbreds, although the breed was not officially recognized with its own registry and stud book until 1948.
After World war One the importing of Standardbreds stopped, and the existing cross breds were used to maintain the breed. In the 1960s, Standardbreds were added again to halt the effects of inbreeding, and the addition of Standardbreds and Orlov Trotters continues today.
