Vladimir
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Names: Vladimir, Vladimir Heavy Draft. I will use the shorter form on this page.
Origin: This breed was developed in the Ivanovo and Vladimir regions (of Russia) on the basis of large native horses through crossbreeding with various draft breeds, such as the Percheron and the Suffolk, and later with the Clydesdale and, to a lesser extent, with the Shire. The latter was in wide use only from 1919 through 1929. The aim was a horse of medium draft power or less which would have rather high speed. In the formation of the breed, a particular role was played for more than a hundred years by Gavrilovo-Posad breeding station, previously a stud farm and a state breeding stable. Its experts invested no small effort in the creation of horses of uniform type in the region. In 1946 the new heavy draft breed was recognized.
Breeding: The breeding work is being carried out at the Yuryev-Polski stud. The breed has 4 lines. A well-made animal of mixed origins, including Cleveland Bays, Suffolks and Shires.
Description: Vladimir drafts combine ample size, stout build, speed and an energetic temperament. Compared to the Clydesdale, the Vladimir has a more developed chest and cleaner and more solid build.
Action: Excellent gaits.
Back: Somewhat long and a little dipped.
Chest: Broad, but not deep.
Color: The predominant color is bay; brown and black are less frequent. Bay, roan, or chestnut. There are characteristic markings on the head (a star or blaze) and legs.
Croup: Long and moderately sloping.
Hair: Well developed on mane, tail, and limbs.
Head: Long and clean-cut with the profile often arched.
Legs: Long, clean, and properly set.
Loin: Short and broad.
Neck: High and arched. Elongated and well-muscled.
Ribs: Insufficiently sprung.
Size: About
16 hands. According to the measurements below, stallions stand about 15
and a half hands; mares stand a little over 15 hands.
The average measurements (in centimeters) of the
stallions are: height at withers 160, oblique body length 165, chest girth 196,
cannon bone girth 24. The stallions live weight is 750-800 kg. The mares'
measurements (in cm) are 157, 162, 188 and 23.0 respectively. The
inadequate size of Vladimir drafts is due to their being reared in simple
management conditions at collective farm studs.
Withers: Sufficiently pronounced and long.
Temperament: Energetic.
Features: Strong,
active horse. As an example, the first record below is a little over a
mile with a pull of about 330 pounds.
The Vladimir's performance test results are good. The 2000 m
walking draft record with a pull of 150 kg is 12 min 34.2 sec; the trotting
draft record for the same distance with a pull of 50 kg is 4 min 34 sec. The
draft endurance with a pull of 300 kg is 987 m, while the maximum pull was 820
kg, 94.3% of the horse's live weight.
The Vladimirs have a high growth rate, with the foals' live weight reaching 200
kg by the age of six months. The mares are quite fertile, the live birth rate
being 75-80 foals per 100 mares.
Uses: Used for heavy and light harness work.
Accomplishments:
Curiosities:
Profiles:
Conclusion: