Horse Breeds

Budenny

Budenny The Russian Budenny Horse



General History



After the massive casualties of World War I, the Russian cavalry was heavily depleted and in need of remounts. Horseflesh, like human, does not withstand well the rigors of gunfire. Marshall Semyon Budenny, a respected Soviet cavalry general, undertook the task in 1921 with a grand vision of creating the ideal cavalry officer's horse. An officer's horse had higher demands on its potential to survive, and on its endurance to regularly travel the cavalry column with speed. Years before in wars with France, Don horsemen hired by Russia chased the enemy across rivers with limitless daring. Their horses were a steppe breed born and raised on the unforgiving steppes of northern Russia. They were called Don horses after the culture that cultivated them. This hardy horse became the base stock from which the Budenny sprang.

In 1948, the breed was officially recognized. In the Rostov region, government-guided stud farms crossed Don and Anglo-Don mares with Russian and European Thoroughbred stallions to improve the look, speed, and conformation of the Don. Because foals inherit over 50% of their looks and temperament from their dam, using native mares helped to preserve the integrity of the steppe horse.



The Budenny Horse possesses a highly trainable and intelligent mind. Known as one-person horses, they bond with their handler as befitting a breed destined to be a soldier's partner. The Budenny needed to be easily controllable, sure-footed, brave, spirited and able to make independant decisions for itself so that its rider could be otherwise occupied.

After the close of World War II and the disbanding of the USSR Cavalry in 1953, the Budenny was transitioned into the role of sporthorse. In Russia, it is well known as an exceptional showjumper, and endurance races are regularly run to test for the quality of young stock. Budennies have been known to perform well in jumping, dressage, steeplechase, and eventing. The Budenny Horse possesses the unique physical attribute of being able to recover faster from hard exercise and with a lower pulse rate than the average horse. This makes them exceptional candidates for sport and is testament to the rigorous athletic standards that base stock were subjected to.

Worldwide, there is an estimated total population of 2,500 registered Budenny horses. The breeding population is reckoned by the number of mares, of which there are around 600.

Breed Characteristics



IDEAL MEASUREMENTS

Stallions Height: 165 - 169.6 cm (or 16.1 to 16.3 hh)

Girth: 188.7 - 198.7 cm

Cannon Bone: 20.6 - 21.5 cm

Mares Height: 163 - 166.5 cm (or 16 to 16.2 hh)

Girth: 188 - 196.2 cm

Cannon Bone: 20.4 - 21 cm

COAT COLORS

Chestnut, including red and its shades from brown to light red. Especially desirable is a golden shade which was originally inherited from the Don horse. Over 80% of Budennies are chestnut, primarily due to the color preferences of the breed standards. Bay is also an acceptable color, especially if the horse has inherited the golden sheen in its coat. Black and Grey are undesirable colors according to standard regulations.

CONFORMATION

Much attention is devoted to the perfection of the Budenny's conformation. General view of the horse is in terms of breed characteristics and an overall harmonious conformation. Recent attention of experts has focused on the improvement of the head, neck, torso and legs. Less attention is paid to the withers and shoulder, as a rule. The structure of the back and waist has improved in recent years, in connection with the increasingly mass use of Budennies in equestrian sport.

TYPES

From the beginning of 1968 and onward, the Budenny horse has been constantly developed by experts. Original base stock were pooled from the Anglo-Don breed. Today, there are three distinct and acknowledged types:

• Typical: Horses which optimally combine the qualities of the Thoroughbred and the Don. They are large, rectangular, good bone, well-developed muscles and a dedicated work ethic.

• Eastern: These horses show a strong influence from the Don. They are characterized by a smoothness of lines and roundness of form with an original beauty and elegance of appearance, especially in combination with a golden shade of chestnut, brown or bay.

• Massive: Of an extremely large size, these horses have deep, big ribs, and a torso of extended format. They are characterized by a simplicity and roughness of form. These horses, along with those of the typical type are also associated with playfulness in demeanor.

Crossbreds & Breeding Specifications



A Budenny filly and her Thoroughbred dam.

Due to the role of these breeds in the creation of the Budenny horse, there is a total amount of 5/8ths blood of Thoroughbred or Arabian allowed for foals to be considered for registration with VNIIK as full Budenny horses. Thoroughbred crosses should result in offspring of a Typical type. Arabian crosses should result in a more Eastern type, with elegance but without compromise to the Don influence. Under this 5/8ths rule, the following lists specific color restrictions in terms of the broodmares or sires used in a cross to a Budenny:

• Thoroughbred - Solid colored. Chestnut and bay preferred; no grey.

• Arabian - Chestnut or bay only.

VNIIK: The All-Russian Institute for Horse Breeding

VNIIK was founded in 1930. Main operations are located in Moscow, Russia, where staff and researchers maintain the national stud-book and records for the Budenny horse. VNIIK is also engaged in work with other Russian breeds (notably the Akhal-Teke, under its subsidiary branch MAAK), and is involved as member of the Board and Executive Committee of the Trakhener, Arab and Shagya Arab Horse Societies, the English Jockey Club, and the Trotting Association. On their laboratory staff is one of the leading women scientists of the twentieth century. Currently, their immunogenetics lab has been working on protein and DNA bloodtest work for an International Committee for the studying of animal genetics. Through computer analyses and an award-winning database they maintain records of the primary bloodstock in Russian horse breeding.

Visit on the Web: www.maakcenter.org/ENG/vniik.html

Bonitation Instruction: Horse Evaluations

VNIIK uses the Bonitation Instruction system of evaluation to determine the quality and rank of breeding horses and to appraise young stock. This system, developed in 2003, is used by qualified representatives to evaluate Budennies according to current breed standards and regulations.

For Breeding Stallions & Mares:

A ten-point scale is used to assess the horse's specific type (Typical, Eastern, or Massive), harmony of measurements, conformation, athleticism, and quality of offspring. As a result, breeding horses belong to the Elite, First, or Second Class. Horses that do not meet the requirements for Second Class are considered to be not of breeding quality.

For Young Horses:

A five-mark system is used for the evaluation of young horses. Horse type, ideal measurements, conformation, and athleticism are of similar importance.