Kinsky horse
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Kinsky horse or Equus Kinsky is a light warmblood horse , bred until the middle of the 20th century in Bohemia, a part of the modern-day Czech Republic. At one time it was the most prominent breed in that part of the world.
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[edit] Physical Characteristics
Kinsky horses average 158 cm to 175 cm (15.2 - 17 hands) in height. They are considered to have a harmonic build, and usually feature a high proportion of Thoroughbred ancestry. Their coats can be palomino, chestnut (sorrel), fox, brown, and additionally special colors like cremello, perlino, and smoky cream but not black. All colors have an intensive gloss, so that the animals appear nearly golden-skinned.
[edit] Disposition and Use
Much importance is attached to the balanced, good-natured character of these horses. From birth, Kinsky horses are all very much inclined towards humans, friendly and curious.
The Kinsky horse is a versatile, multipurpose horse, suited to both riding (including Dressage, Western style, Military and Police applications, Eventing, Steeplechasing, and fox hunting) and driving. It is also suited for Dressage or show jumping at the highest levels (Grand Prix, Derby or Olympic disciplines). The Kinsky horse is also suitable as a therapy horse.
[edit] Origin and History
The development of the Kinsky horse is closely linked with the history of the Kinsky family and in particular Count Oktavian Kinsky. The family of the Count had for decades predominantly bred Thoroughbreds for horse racing or steeplechasing. The first known mention of the breed term "Kinsky horse" or the now-protected designation "Equus Kinsky" is from the year 1838. Previously, the horses were known only as the special horses bred by Count Kinsky.
At the beginning of the Dark Ages circa 1200 it is said that a Bohemian Princess was out hunting when her entourage was attacked by wolves; most of the group scattered but one man called Kinsky (Tynsky) remained to protect his charge and slayed three of the wolves. In gratitude he was bestowed the title of Count and granted a coat of arms bearing three wolf teeth. Now in a higher aristocratic circle he amassed greater wealth and power. His descendants kept a herd of Bohemian horses on their land and annually would round them up and select the best for calvalry. The horses with the best stamina, strength, boldness and amenable personality suitable for battle and loyal to their riders were preferred. Eventually these special horses were noticed as far superior to anything sourced through local markets and orders were made to the Kinsky family to provide mounts exclusively to the Emperor's army. In 1813 Countess Kinsky arrived in Vienna for the International Congress in a coach pulled by four golden (palomino) Kinsky horses; this attracted huge attention and the golden Kinsky became sought after throughout Europe; a stud book was established in 1846 (Equus Kinsky). Finer boned horses, the emerging thorughbreds of England, brought in from the late 18th century onwards enriched the herd, particularly under the direction of Count Oktavian Kinsky. He may have been somewhat eccentric, an account says Oktavian would drive his coach and horses straight up his castle's steps and into the hall. In 1874 Count Oktavian Kinsky introduced an exhausting steeplechase, the Paradubic where his own horses ran in competition with others and were frequently placed - and sometimes won.
Count Charles Kinsky rode a Grand National winner. He won riding his mare Zoedone in 1883 but the next year at the same race event his horse collapsed - it may have been 'nobbled' to prevent a double win. The horse was not raced again and was retired to the Kinsky stud.
The rise of the Iron Curtain and occupation by the Soviet Union in the late 1940s resulted in the fleeing of the Kinsky aristocracy to pastures new and the dispersal of the Kinsky herd. However, one determined stud manager desperately clung to a small herd of Kinsky horses and eventually resurrected the breed. Until 1989 the Kinsky horse was lost from the world but after the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 new contact with the west brought the breed greater recognition. The Czech Republic consider the breed an emblem of their country and the horses are now protected legally from destruction.
[edit] Present and Future
By the end of the twentieth century, the Kinsky horse breed had been nearly entirely assimilated into the Czech warm blood. The Kinsky horse is considered threatened today (2004), with less than 1,000 members of the breed surviving world-wide -- one of the rarest horse breeds in the world.
Hobby breeders, particularly in the Czech Republic, still try to breed Kinksy horses. The Czech Republic has recognized that the race is worth saving as cultural property, and has ordered an end to their extermination; but there is no subsidy or financial support for the keeping and breeding of further Kinsky horses. Meanwhile, sport horse riders from all over the world, looking for a "special colored" horse, are buying the very best "Kinsky horses" from the Czech breeders, draining the best stock from the Czech Republic.
See also: List of horse breeds, horse
[edit] External links
Yahoo! Group 'Kinsky horse' message board and discussion forum for owners, breeders and others interested in this breed; links to current breeder and available stock [1]
