Shagya Arab

   

Introduction:  If you have any comments or suggestions, please click here.

Names:  Shagya, Shagya Arab.  Named after the founding father of the breed, Shagya.

Origin:  A type of Arab from eastern Europe.  Usually considered to be separate from the Arabian breed.  Shagyas were originally, and still are, bred at Babolna, one of the best known and State-owned Hungarian studs, established in 1789.
    The Empire of Equus gave a rather startling introduction to this breed, calling it the "Hungarian Shagya" and making these interesting observations:  A primitive, hardy breed of small horses, believed to have descended from the cross-breeding (in nature) of the South Russian tarpan and Przewalsky's horse.  later on, numerous Turkish invasions of Hungary introduced into the native horses Arab, Persian, and Turkish blood.  The foundation sire of the present-day breed was an Arab stallion named "Shagya," from which the breed is named.  (Chew on that food for thought!)

Breeding:  Shagya, the foundation stallion, was a pure-bred, desert Arabian that was imported into Hungary and crossed with Oriental but non-pedigree mares.

Description:  Except that Shagyas do not always have markedly concave profiles, they show all the Arabian characteristics of looks and temperament and are very beautiful.

Color:  Usually gray.

Head:  Small and fine.

Profile:  Dished.

Size:  14-15 hands.

Tail:  Carried high.

Temperament: 

Features:  Can live on little or poor food.  Tireless.

Uses:  Popular as a cavalry horse in World War I.

Accomplishments: 

Curiosities:  

Profiles:  Shagya - Foundation stallion of the breed; see Breeding, above, for more information.

Conclusion:  

Hungary * Search-Terms * Diagrams