Horse
Pronunciation:
Yew-kray'-nee-ann Ry'-ding
Breed Description:
The Ukrainian Riding Horse breed of horse, also known as the Ukranian Saddle Horse, is a fairly new breed, developed only in the last 60 years. The breed was developed to increase the Soviet competitiveness in Olympic disciplines of eventing, show jumping, and dressage, and with carefully managed breeding this young breed is already highly sought after. The Ukrainian Saddle Horse was originally developed at the government-owned Dnepropetrovsk stud, but several other stud farms produce the breed today. The origins of the breed trace to other sport horse breeds, in particular the Hanoverian, the Trakehner, and the Thoroughbred, often using imported stallions corssed with native, local mares including the now extinct Russian Saddle Horse. Recent breeding has concentrated on Thoroughbred and Hanoverian outcrosses. Like their sport horse ancestors, these horses are excellent in show jumping, eventing and dressage, and usually are bay, chestnut, or brown, with greys and blacks occuring occasionally.
Temperament:
The Ukrainian Riding Horse breed of horse has an excellent, trainable temperament and is well suited to the stresses of competitive training and showing.
Height:
The Ukrainian Riding Horse breed of horse stands 15.1 to 16.2 hands
Weight:
The Ukrainian Riding Horse breed of horse weighs 900 to 1200 pounds.
Health Problems:
The Ukrainian Riding Horse breed of horse has a history of managed, selective breeding and has no significant health problems.
Living Conditions:
The Ukrainian Riding Horse breed of horse is a competition horse, and appreciates being stabled during harsh weather.
Exercise:
The Ukrainian Riding Horse breed of horse enjoys training and needs regular work.
Life Expectancy:
The Ukrainian Riding Horse breed of horse lives into the late twenties.
Grooming:
The Ukrainian Riding Horse breed of horse should be groomed for its competitive discipline, and is usually kept with a neat and well-groomed appearance with a pulled mane and tail.
Origin:
The Ukrainian Riding Horse breed of horse descends from Hanoverian, Trakehner, and English Thoroughbred stock imported into the Ukraine after World War II. This stock was crossed with local mares, including the now extinct Russian Saddle Horse, with an increasing amount of Hanoverian and Thoroughbred stock added in the last twenty years. 