Konik
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| Konik | ||
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 A Konik horse |
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| Country of origin: | Poland | |
| Breed standards | ||
The konik (pl. koniki) is a small Polish horse, a kind of semi-wild pony. In Poland these horses are called koniks, this word comes from the Polish diminutive for a horse (koń, sometimes incorrectly linked with pony – kuc, kucyk), but refers to several breeds. These koniks show many primitive features, for example some breeds have the dun coat and dorsal stripe.
In 1936, professor Tadeusz Vetulani of Poznań University began attempts to breed the extinct tarpan back to its original state. To achieve this he used ponies from Biłgoraj area descended from wild tarpans (given to local peasants in 19th century) crossbred with domestic horses. The Polish government commandeered all the koniks, which displayed tarpan-like features. The result of this selective breeding programme is that semi-wild herds of koniks can be seen today in many nature reserves and parks.
 A konik horse in the Stobnica Research Station of the Agricultural University of Poznań. |
 A konik horse in the Stobnica Research Station of the Agricultural University of Poznań. |
 A konik mare with foal in Roztoczański National Park in Poland. |
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[edit] Nature reserves
As it is genetically very close to the extinct tarpan, the original European wild horse, it has been introduced into many nature reserves in the Netherlands such as the Oostvaardersplassen.
Along with deer, the wisent and the Heck Cattle, the konik are big grazers. They keep the landscape open, and when kept without supplemental winter feeding, they alter the landscape to produce more parklike forest.
In Maastricht, the Netherlands, a herd was released in 1995, in 'de Kleine Weerd', a 12 hectare strip of land (roughly 100 m by 1 km) along the river Meuse. The area is open to the public, but people are advised not to go near the horses because their reaction is unpredictable. Koniks have also been introduced in Latvia and the United Kingdom because of the success of such programs. Koniks have been introduced into Wicken Fen near Cambridge by the National Trust. Koniks have also been introduced to a number of Nature Reserves in Kent, England by Wildwood Trust (the charity which runs the Wildwood Discovery Park) and Kent Wildlife Trust. These include Stodmarsh National Nature Reserve, Ham Fen National Nature Reserve, Whitehall Meadow, Sandwich Bay and Park Gate Down.
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Wildwood trust wildhorse.jpg
Wild Konik Horses on Stodmarsh National Nature Reserve |
[edit] Physical Characteristics
- Height at the shoulder: 134cm
- Chest circumference: 168cm
Short height, strong and stocky build, light head with a straight profile, growing low out of the chest. Has a deep chest, a thick mane, the hide is mouse-grey.
[edit] Prevalence in Poland
- Private breeders: 310 females, 90 males
- State studs: 120 females, 50 males
[edit] Breeding Centres
- Nature reserves: Popielno, Roztoczański National Park, Stobnica Research Station of the Agricultural University of Poznań
- Stud conditions: Popielno, Sieraków
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- Konik horses - Rare horse breed proves crucial to delicate ecosystem Horsetalk.co.nz
- Maas, P.H.J. 2006. Selective breeding. The Extinction Website. Downloaded at 27 August 2006.
- Maas, P.H.J. 2006. Tarpan - Equus ferus ferus. The Extinction Website. Downloaded at 27 August 2006.
- Markerink, M., 2002. Koniks, wilde paarden in Nederland. Stichting Ark, Hoog Keppel.
- Volf, J. 1979. "Tarpanoidni kun ("konik") a jeho chov v Popielne (Polsko)"/ "The tarpanoid horse ("konik") and its breeding in Popielno (Poland)". Gazella 2:67-73.
[edit] External links
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