Horse
Pronunciation:
Shag'-ee'ah Ah-ray'-bee-ann
Breed Description:
The Shagya Arabian breed of horse is a Hungarian breed, descended from Arabian horse but with larger riding horses included to give them a taller, more muscular appearance without losing the elegance of the Arabian. Bred carefully over the last 250 years, they were originally developed as a strong cavalry horse with the endurance and intelligence of the Arabian. Their ancestors are predominantly Arabians, but English Thoroughbreds and Lipizzaners were added to the breeding program. They are almost exclusively gray in color, although bays can occur, and although rare are sought after as riding and driving horses, and excel as sport and endurance horses.
Temperament:
The Shagya Arabian breed of horse has an excellent temperament, combining the intelligence of the Arabian with the trainability of other riding horse breeds.
Height:
The Shagya Arabian breed of horse stands around 15 hands.
Weight:
The Shagya Arabian breed of horse weighs around 1000 pounds.
Health Problems:
The Shagya Arabian breed of horse has been carefully bred over three centuries and has no significant health problems.
Living Conditions:
The Shagya Arabian breed of horse is hardier than its Arab ancestors, and can tolerate colder climates. However, the Shagya has a fine coat and appreciates stabling in very harsh weather.
Exercise:
The Shagya Arabian breed of horse has exceptional endurance and enjoys work, and will benefit from regular and challenging training.
Life Expectancy:
The Shagya Arabian breed of horse lives into its late twenties and early thirties.
Grooming:
The Shagya Arabian breed of horse is normally shown with a natural appearance or in accordance with its competitive discipline. It has a fine coat and needs regular grooming.
Origin:
The Shagya Arabian breed of horse descends from some of the finest Arabian stallions imported into Hungary in the 18th century. Lippizaners, thoroughbreds, and other fine riding horses were added to develop a strong military horse with extraordinary speed and endurance, but capable of carrying heavier loads that Arabians or thoroughbreds. The stud book was established very early, and today's Shagya can often trace their pedigrees back over two hundred years. Shagya have been successful at top levels in most equestrian disciplines, including endurance, carriage driving, dressage, and eventing. 