Konik means small horse in Polish. I recently came across some pictures of this rare breed and thought they were extremely pretty and had an interesting history. They are mouse grey in colour with dark manes and tails and zebra-type markings on their legs.

They are descended directly from the Tarpan, a wild European forest horse which survived in central Europe until the late 1800s when the last were captured in Poland, and then kept in captivity in zoos until the last died in 1910. However, around the time of World War 2, Polish scientists noticed that Tarpan-like foals called Bilgoraj Konik were being born to domestic ponies. Scientists have managed to back-breed over generations and recreate the extinct forest horse.

I noticed a recent article about the first coloured full thoroughbred foal born in the UK. He is registered with Weatherby’s as a Bay Overo.

I have been reading about the genetics of horse colours and this is far more complicated than I realised. I have listed below some information on horse colours/patterns which were new to me:

Overo refers to a pinto coloration pattern of white over dark body markings in horses. There are at least three different genes which fall under the “overo” classification: frame overo, sabino, and splash overo.

A Splash Overo pattern appears like a solid colored horse who has been dipped in white paint, and the color splashed up from the bottom.

Sabino is listed as a type of overo colouring but it is genetically different. The most common markings are high white stockings (often with jagged edges), a wide blaze often extending past the eyes and small white patches or roan colouring on the belly or flanks. Most have four white feet. Minimal sabinos may have only one trait while a maximum sabino is a completely white horse.

My horse is half Trakehner but there is a strong influence of Turkish Arabian in his Trakehner bloodline. This is reflected in this Arab-like head and feet.

I knew that the Arabian horse is one of the oldest breeds of horse and 93% of all thoroughbreds can be traced back to 3 Arabian stallions.

I was surprised to find out recently that some Arabian horses have five lumbar vertebrae compared to the the normal number of 6 and 17 rather than 18 ribs. Apparently their head also meets the neck at a different angle. While Arabian horse are quite unique in their looks, I did not realise that there were such major differences. I understand that the shorter back has developed over time to make it easier to carry heavy riders.

For more information on Arabian horses take a look at this great site - MiKael’s Mania - Arabian Horses

My favourite looking horse is the Andalusian. I am always impressed by the Andalusians action and strength, since first noticing them in the Clint Eastwood Spaghetti Western films.
One of my remaining horse ambitions is to ride an Andalusian to see if they actually are as impressive to ride as they appear.
I didn’t realise until recently that the Andalusian were originally warhorses and are often depicted in many horse statues.

I watched the film Hidalgo recently and discovered that the Mustang is of Spanish origin. I thought the Mustang was of Native American breed.
The first Mustangs were descended from horses brought to Mexico by the Conquistadors in the 1500s. Most were Andulasian or Arabian. They rapidly spread through western North America.

I didn’t realise that Mustangs had almost been hunted to extinction and are now protected to maintain their numbers. While looking into this, I have read that there were originally 50 native breeds in North America but many have been hunted for food until few original breeds remain.
I’ll have to do some more research on this.