Orlov Trotter Horse Breed

From: Horse Breeds • Driving Horse Breeds List

Orlov Trotter
This is a beautiful yet powerful looking horse who has a sleek physique and tremendous trotting power , making it very well suited to harness racing as well as a useful riding horse.

Originates
The breed originates from Russia

Height
Height is from 15.2 to 16.1 HH

Colour
The breed is predominantly grey but sometimes bay and black are seen.

Conformation

Head is alert and refined with generous sized nostrils and intelligent outlook.
Neck is long, strong and slender.
Shoulders are sloping and powerful.
Back is fairly long.
Withers are fairly high.
Hindquarters are muscular with a broad croup
Tail is well set on.
Mane and tail are fairly thick.
Limbs are long, clean and strong with large joints.

Uses
Orlov horses are often used for driving and harness racing as well as for riding.

Association
In 1977 the International Committee for the Protection of the Orlovs Trotter was set up and there are now stud farms in Russia and the Ukrane who are breeding purebreds.

History
The breed takes its name from Count Alexis Orlov who in the 18th century started up the Khrenovsky stud farm in Bobrov. English, Dutch and Danish mares were bred with Arab stallions, one Arab in particular was a grey stallion called Smetanka who went on to sire Bars 1 in 1784, Bars 1 is known as the foundation sire for the Orlov breed.

The Orlov was used as a riding and harness horse and found fame in trotting races. Where it would frequently out run its competitors. The breed itself went into decline in the Civil war and then again during world war two but thanks to the International Committee for the protection of the Orlov Trotter a new strict breeding programme has begun to increase numbers of this wonderful breed.