Horses

1.1.1.1. Karakachan horse

Figure 41 Karakachan horse

Classification	Local primitive breed
Origin	Bulgaria
Methods and techniques of developing	By traditional breeding. Created under specific conditions – highland pasture breeding in summer and breeding in the Aegean Sea Region and in the southern slopes of the Rhodopes, Strandzha and Pirin mountains in winter, with long seasonal marches when moving the herds.
Year of breed introduction	Autochthonous
Main areas	he Balkan and the Rhodope mountains and the mountains in the Southwest Bulgaria
Economic use	For riding or as pack-horses. The major breed for working in highland areas.

Table 2 169 General information

Name of the breeding organization	1. Association for Breeding Indigenous Breeds in Bulgaria 2. Association of Horse Breeders in Bulgaria
Studbook established in	2010
Under breeding control -Mares, number – Stallions, number	1010 622 55
Classification of the breed according to the degree of endangerment	Endangered-maintained
Trend	Increasing

Table 2 170 Breeding status

• Breed description
Breed specific characteristics
Belongs to the group of the primitive local horses with longer heads and broader foreheads. The eye orbits are protruding above the forehead. The eyes are small and vivid. The neck is relatively short, broad and muscular, well set on the head and chest. The back is broad, often concave and the chest is broad and deep with rounded ribs. The croup is often longer than broad; flatter than in the other primitive horses. The legs are short, thick, strong and correctly set. In terms of its exterior features, the Karakachan horse is well-structured concerning the wither height, the back and the croup, and, the body length and the head configuration.

Table 2 171 Colour

– Body

Mostly bay, often gray and less often – chestnut and black

Table 2 172 Main exterior measurements

Wither height, cm – Mares – Stallions	128-136 130-138
Body length, cm – Mares – Stallions	121-139 128-142
Chest girth, cm – Mares – Stallions	138-150 140-152
Cannon bone girth, cm – Mares – Stallions	16-17 17-18
Average weight, kg – Mares – Stallions – At birth	230-320 240-350 15-18

Table 2 173 Reproduction and use

Sexual maturity, months	18
Economic maturity, months	36
Fertility, %	60
Duration of use, years	18-20

1.1.1.1. Hafliger

Figure 42 Hafliger

Table 2 174 General information

Classification	Mountain breed
Origin	South Tyrol, Austria
Methods and techniques of developing	Complex crossbreeding of local mares with Shagya and Gidran stallions first and later, to improve some exterior qualities, with purebred Arabian stallions
Year of breed recognition	1898 in Austria
Main areas	The highland areas of Pirin, Rila, the Rhodopes and the Balkan Mountains; in South Bulgaria between Stara Zagora and Burgas; much less in North Bulgaria.
Economic use	For riding, driving and as pack horses. For riding in Children Riding Schools.
Trend	Stable

Table 2 175 Breeding status

Name of the breeding organization	Association of the Horse Breeders in Bulgaria
Studbook established in	1920 Zams, Austria; 1984 in Bulgaria
Under breeding control: -Mares, number – Stallions, number	554 116 34
Trend	Increasing

• Breed description
Breed specific characteristics
An extremely massive body, a relatively low height, a proportional and fine head, a short and well-muscled neck. The withers are low and gradually merge into the back. The body is extended, with a broad rounded chest. The croup is broad, bifurcated and well-muscled. The legs are relatively short with welldeveloped bone structure and a strong hoof horn. The mane and the tail are abundantly covered with hair, making the horses more beautiful.

Table 2 176 Colour

Body Palomino – the colour of the coat is creamy, yellow or sandy. The mane and the tail are white

ния

Wither height, cm – Mares – Stallions	138-143 140-146
Body length, cm – Mares – Stallions	151-155 155-160
Chest girth, cm – Mares – Stallions	170-178 175-188
Cannon bone girth, cm – Mares – Stallions	19,3-20,3 19,5-20,5
Average weight, kg – Mares – Stallions – At birth	420-460 450-540 40-50

Table 2 177 Main exterior measurements

Table 2 178 Reproduction and use

Sexual maturity, months	18
Economic maturity, months	36
Fertility, %	75
Duration of use, years	18-20