Vyatka stallion
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| Country of origin | Russian Federation |
| Traits | |
| Distinguishing features | Female height: 140 cm[1]: 339 Female weight: 400 kg[1]: 339 |
| Notes | |
| Conservation status: FAO (2007): endangered[2]: 99 | |
The VyatkaorViatka (Russian: Вятская лошадь, vyatskaya loshad) is an endangered breedofhorse native to the former Vyatka region, now the Kirov Oblast of the Russian Federation. It is mainly found there and in the Udmurt Republic.[3] It is named for the Vyatka River.[4]: 512
The Vyatka was influenced by the climate and terrain of the Kirov, Udmurtia and western Perm regions; Estonian horses and Kleppers brought to northern Russia in the fourteenth century by Novgorod colonists may have affected its conformation, as may later imports of Estonian horses for mining work in the Ural Mountains.[1]: 338 The Vyatka was valued for its endurance, speed and frugality. By the middle of the nineteenth century it was considered the best horse for pulling troikas; some were exported from the Vyatka region, including to Poland.[1]: 339
In 1917 the breed was virtually extinct; some efforts at re-establishment were made after the Russian Revolution.[5] Numbers in the Kirov and Udmurtia were estimated at 2000 in 1980.[1]: 339 In 2003 the known population numbered 560,[3] and in 2007 the Vyatka was on the Endangered List of the FAO.[2]: 99
The average height at the withers of Vyatka mares is 140 centimetres (13.3 hands; 55 inches), and the average weight 400 kilograms (880 lb).[3] The usual coat color was originally a striped dun with primitive markings – zebra stripes and a dorsal stripe;[4]: 512 it has become more variable, and may also be roan, bay, brown or chestnut, or occasionally black.[1]: 339 [4]: 512
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These are the horse breeds considered in the Russian Federation to be wholly or partly of Russian origin. Inclusion here does not necessarily imply that a breed originates predominantly or exclusively within the Russian Federation. | |
| Contemporary |
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| Extinct |
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