TY 2010-2011 :D: Horse and Pony Breeds; The Bashkir Pony

Dear Readers,
Here is the fifth and final part of my geography project, the Bashkir Pony.

The Bashkir Pony is an invaluable source to the communities of the southern Ural mountains near Kazakhstan, because they provide so much, and this is why I chose them.

Height: 13-14hh

Colour: Chestnut, Bay, Dun
Use: Saddle, Pack, Draft, Milk, Meat
Features: Thick curly coat, luxurious mane and tail, hard feet, heavy head and thick, strong neck.
They come come the Bashkiria area of the Ural Mountains around Kuryhizi and Kazakhstan. The climate in this area has temperatures that range between -30*C and -40*C, with snow for most of the year, and the Bashkir pony will live out in this all year round.

They have adapted to this by having their thick curly coat and hard feet which can be left un-shod. They can also survive on little and poor quality food (as the climate doesn't allow rich growth) and for foals to survive mares produce an average of 1500litres of milk over 7-8 months with is way above the average other breeds.

They are major providers to small economies of the area and these areas probably couldn't survive without them! They provide milk to make the dairy product Kummis, their coat when combed can be used to weave blankets and clothing, their strong neck and big head means they can do heavy pack and harness work, also can be used as transport. A Bashkir Troika (three horses abreast pulling a sledge) can cover 120-150km a day through snow. Their meat can also provide a form of protein.

Because of their major importance breeding centres were set up around 1845 to improve stock, this has resulted in two types of ponies being produced; the mountain type, suitable for riding; and the heavier steppe type. In America, where they are also quiet popular in the north western states, they are called Bashkir Curlies, and they are said to have been introduced to the mustang herds there by the Spanish conquests in the 16th century.