Russian Don

Other Breeds

Keeshond   |   Palomino   |   Pig – Pot Bellied   |  

Alternative Name

N/A

Basic Info

The Don Horse has a refined head with a straight or sometimes hooked nose, large nostrils, and expressive eyes. The neck is lean and often straight. The withers are not prominent; the shoulders are quite straight, giving the Don a rather short stride. Its chest is substantial and muscular. The back is long and the legs are clean. The Don stands between 15.1 and 16 hands and appears in varying solid colors such as chestnut, bay, and gray.

Health

N/A

Habitat

N/A

Behavior

The Russian Don Horse serves superbly both in harness and under saddle. This breed was the mount of the famed and feared Cossack Cavalry. Traditionally, the Don has roamed in herds, enduring harsh winters with little food and only the heartiest have survived. The breed is noted for an even temperament and great powers of endurance.

Origin

Russia

History

It was the Cossack's skill at breeding that made the Don such a rugged horse. The breed originated in the area near the Don and Volga Rivers in the southern Soviet Union. Originally, this was a small horse, but during the 1800's large numbers of the Persian Arabs and Karabakh breeds were bred to the Don. The result was a larger, more refined horse, which combined the durability of the older type and the more pleasing conformation of the imported stock.

Common Foods

grass