| UM* | | | | In Latvia, from the start of the 20th century through |
| Developed in Kazakhstan between 1931 and 1976 at | | | | to 1952, the Latvian breed was developed by the |
| the Pytimarsk and Furman studs, the Kushum breed | | | | crossing of native horses with European harness and |
| was developed from a trotter, Don, Kasakh, | | | | harness saddle horses. Some of the horses influencing |
| Budyonny and Thoroughbred breeding. The Kushum | | | | the Latvian breed included Holstein, Hanoverian and |
| has a high adaptability to conditions, and is suitable | | | | Oldenburg. |
| for milk and meat production. The horses are built | | | | Two types of Latvian horses has been developed, |
| similar to a saddle-harness horse, with a large head | | | | equestrian sport horses and harness horses. Before |
| and pronounced withers. They are versatile and | | | | the 1960's, the harness type of Latvian horse was |
| perform well in high endurance tests. | | | | emphasized, but as equestrian sports gained |
| In taboon management, Kushum horses show sound | | | | popularity in Latvia, the sport type was increased by |
| health and fertility with about 83 foals per 100 mares | | | | using more Thoroughbred and Hanoverian bloodlines. |
| surviving to at least one year of age. | | | | Latvian horses have provided strong results for |
| There are three types within the Kushum breed, a | | | | performance testing in both saddle and harness, and |
| basic, a heavily muscled and a saddler. | | | | even under competition. |
| *KUSTANAI* | | | | *LIPIZZAN* |
| Developed in collective-farm and state-farm studs, | | | | The Lipizzan's history dates back to the beginning of |
| the Kustanai is concentrated at Kustanai and Maikulski | | | | the 1560's. Arab blood was crossed with local, athletic |
| studs. The last date the breed was officially | | | | Spanish type horses. Spanish horses were considered |
| recognized was in 1890. The new breed was | | | | to have exceptional sturdiness, intelligence and |
| developed when breeders crossed the native Kazakh | | | | beauty, and so they were sought after for classical |
| with Stralets, Astrakhan, Don and halfbred | | | | riding. |
| Thoroughbred stallions. Breeding was unsuccessful at | | | | Most Lipizzan horses are the color grey. The Lipizzan |
| first, until improved breeding was formed at Kustanai | | | | breed is sturdy, intelligent and have docile dispositions. |
| stud. | | | | Some Lipizzan's turn white as they age- and only in |
| In the 1920's, a new breed began to be developed at | | | | rare cases does the breed retain the dark color of |
| Kustanai stud. There was two management systems, | | | | their births. The horses are not tall, and average |
| including taboon keeping with year round grazy and | | | | 14-15 hands. It is obvious that Lipizzan horses are |
| keeping sheds for bad weather- free mating and hay | | | | influenced by Arabian blood, particularly in the |
| feeding, as well as keeping them in stables and | | | | appearance of the Lipizzan's heads. |
| pastures, winter grazing throughout good weather | | | | Classical horsemanship is taught at various Spanish |
| and feeding with abundant hay. This second group | | | | Riding Schools, using Lipizzan horses. |
| also had concentrate feeding, hand mating and the | | | | *LITHUANIAN HEAVY DRAFT* |
| foals were weaned at about 7 months of age. | | | | When breeders crossed the Swedish Ardennes with |
| The purpose of the breeding was to develop two | | | | the Zhumudka horses, the Lithuanian Heavy Draft |
| types at the same time, a steppe and saddle type. | | | | horse was the result. |
| Horses with high proportions of Thoroughbred blood | | | | The Lithuanian Heavy Draft horse has a solid build, |
| were for saddle horses, while the other crossbreds | | | | great body proportions and large size. They have a |
| were used in higher concentration for the steppe | | | | long, often dipped back, and solid limbs. Most are |
| type. | | | | chestnut and bay colored and have weight of about |
| Modern day Kustanai horses combine saddler | | | | 850 kg. Lithuanian Heavy Draft horses have high |
| characteristics and the pronounced basic steppe | | | | fertility and good longevity. |
| lineage. They have a medium sized head, well | | | | The breed is known for adaptability to harsh |
| muscled, medium height withers, and strong, healthy | | | | conditions and is used to improve the meat and milk |
| fitness levels despite continental climate. | | | | yields in Altai horses. A new breed will be developed |
| The Kustanai horses display record breaking speeds. | | | | from crossbreeding Lithuanian Heavy Draft horses |
| *LATVIAN* | | | | with Altai horses. |