Don
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Names: Don, Russian Don.
Origin: Comes
from Don Valley, Russia. The original Don, the Russian Steppe Horse, was
essentially the same as the Mongolian
Pony. It was developed by Cossacks
settled over the Don River, in need of good saddle horses for their frontier
skirmishes with nomadic tribes, and later improved further with Persian and Karabakh
blood.
Breeding area and studs: USSR, Don region, especially
the Rostov District. Budyenni Stud, and many other studs. Probably
of Kalmuck stock crossed with Kabardin,
Turkish and Arab
strains. In time the breed became
established and was improved by strict selection during the nineteenth century
by the Cossack leaders Count Platow, Martinov and Ilovaïski. The end of
the 'seventies (probably 1870s, since the source was written in the 1960s) saw
the beginning of systematic crossing with the Thoroughbred.
Breeding: Modern Dons have been further bred-up with Orlovs and Thoroughbreds. One of the many breeds or types of small riding horses or ponies ranging over the steppes of Russia and Siberia. The Don (river) horse is probably a cross of Thoroughbred, Arab, and Orloff trotter on native Cossack stock. A number of types of the Don horse are recognized.
Description: General impression is rather knobby kneed; Steppe horse in appearance.
Action: Short, jerky stride. Long-striding walk; long, loping stride in the gallop.
Body: Upright shoulders. Fairly long, thin, curved neck with prominent jugular groove and thick mane. High withers; straight back with muscular loins. Carries saddle well; fairly straight rounded quarters. Beautifully made, long oblique shoulders. Narrow chest. Considerable depth in the girth, well-sprung ribs.
Color: Always chestnut. At least one source stated, usually golden chestnut, or bay.
Head: Long, hard, noble, often Roman-nosed. Narrow forehead and relatively small, bright eyes. Rather long ears, close to each other.
Legs: Long. Good, hard, clean and sometimes rather light.
Size: 15-16 hands. About 15.2 hands. 15.3 to 16.3 hands. 56-60 inches.
Temperament:
Features: Hard and enduring. Survives well in poor grasslands. Soviet horses are usually quiet to ride and very versatile, although some buyers can underestimate the immaturity of three and four year olds. Very highly bred, light, elegant riding horse; strong influence of Thoroughbred clearly discernible; easy feeder, indefatigable constitution, long working life and great longevity.
Uses: Once ridden by the Cossacks. Often used as a carriage horse. Cavalry horse of the Don Cossacks.
Accomplishments: The great stamina, weather resistance and weight-carrying ability of Don horses, were exploited fully during the Napoleonic Wars and other campaigns, including the Cossacks' unparalleled cavalry exploit of marching to Paris and back.
Curiosities:
Profiles:
Conclusion: