Latvian Coach Horse

Latvian Coach Horse

 

a breed of coach horses developed in the Latvian SSR by crossbreeding local horses mainly with the Oldenburg breed. The Latvian coach horse was recognized as a new breed in 1952.

The Latvian coach horse represents a transitional type between the saddle-and-coach horse and the coach-and-draft type. The colors are bay, dark bay, black, and red dun. The average height of the stallions at the withers is 162 cm; the average length of the trunk, 168 cm; the chest circumference, 194 cm; and the shank circumference, 23 cm. The maximum tractive force is 927.5 kg, which corresponds to a 30-ton load on a loading platform. The Latvian coach horse is distinguished by its great versatility and endurance. Its tractive endurance at a tractive force of 300 kg is 1,600 m. Selection work with the breed is directed at developing larger horses and increasing their work capacity. The best purebred stock is found in the Latvian SSR, which exports horses to the other Union republics.