The original, lost, graded-up horse breeds in Slovenia

Abstract

Valvasor reported in 1689 about rearing horses in Carniola region. In some passages of the book “The Glory of the Duchy of Carniola” he was writing also about the Karst horse. Other horse breeds, mentioned in the publications until 1945 are the Noric horse, Lipizzan horse, Belgian horse, Ljutomer trotter, Međimurje horse and other breeds. By directive of the Ministry of Agriculture, the former Dravska Banovina, was in 1934 divided into the region of cold-blooded horses with three districts (Međimurje horse, medium heavy Noric horse, light Noric horse) and in two districts with warmblood horses (American racer and Lipizzaner). The Karst horse was mentioned in the historical records from 1582. These horses were strong animals famous for their longevity. The Karst horse breed is the old Slovenian breed, which directly participated in the formation of the Lipizzan horse from the 16. century onwards. The breed is extinct now. The Bohinj horse was tall, broad and powerful. The breed was first mentioned by Dr. Bleiweis in 1855. The origin of the breed dates in the early 18 century. The domestic mares were crossbreed with stallions of Nonius breed (Hungarian stallions). With the introduction of heavy Norican stallions the original Bohinj horse disappeared. The Kobarid horse was a strong draft horse breed, previously bred in the Soška dolina and on its outskirts. The breed was highly appreciated also in the Friuli region. The First World War ruined the breed structure, and there is no available information about the Kobarid horse since 1928. The Posavinje horse was also called Savinje horse and was raised in Savinjska dolina. It was developed by crossing the Noric horse and Ardenes horse breeds. This medium heavy breed of horse is extinct too.