Vyatka Horse - Breed Characteristics

Breed Characteristics

It is a useful and versatile breed and has stamina, hardiness and endurance. It is used for riding and driving and is commonly used for pulling the traditional troika; it is also useful for light agricultural work. It has a willing and honest temperament and is easy to handle.

The Vyatka horse has a small head, set onto a strong, thick neck. It is powerful through the shoulders, deep through the girth and has muscular quarters. The Vyatka horse has a luxurious mane and tail, and in winter grows a thick coat. It is usually chestnut or bay roan, or dun colored with primitive markings – a dorsal stripe, shoulder cross and sometimes zebra markings on the legs. The average height at the withers is 140 centimetres (13.3 hands), and the average weight 400 kilograms (880 lb). In 1917 the breed was virtually extinct; some efforts at re-establishment were made after the Russian Revolution. In 2003 the known population numbered 560. In 2007 the Vyatka horse was on the FAO's Endangered List.