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The Malapolski is a fairly recent
breed that evolved in Poland during the 19th century and could also be described
as a half-bred Anglo-Arab. The breed was developed through a combination of
oriental blood, Arabian, Anglo-Arabian, Shagya, and Gidran with some
Thoroughbred, Furioso, Austrian Hungarian half-bred, and Przedswit, which is a
type of Thoroughbred half-bred. There are two main strains of Malapolski which
have developed. First, the Sadecki has been chiefly influenced by infusions of
Furioso blood and secondly, the Darbowsko-Tarnowksi, which has been influenced
by infusions of Gidran blood.
To further complicate matters,
the Malapolski can vary quite considerably from region to region and, as a
breed, exhibits a wide range of differing physical aspects! The Malapolski also
has similarities to another Polish breed - the Wielkopolski - but the
Wielkopolski generally has more conforming physical characteristics. The
Malapolski is quite a common horse in Poland and is bred at five state stud
farms at Stubno, Prudnik, Udorz, Walewice, and Janow Podlaski, as well as being
widely bred by individuals in the southeastern and central areas of Poland.
In general the Malapolski is an
excellent all-around versatile horse. They are still widely used in Poland for
agricultural purposes and light draft, as well as riding, and make very good
farm horses. They are very athletic and are increasingly used as competition
horses, having a good natural jump and a bold demeanor. They have been
successfully steeplechased and are fast and agile. The Malapolski has a very
good temperament, being both calm and willing, but energetic when needed.
They also have good basic conformation and nice smooth paces, making them a
comfortable riding horse.
In appearance, they are a classy,
quality-looking horse with an attractive and well-proportioned head. Their necks
are muscular, well-formed, and curved gently from withers to poll. They have a
longish back, a nicely rounded barrel, and sloping shoulders. They are broad and
deep through the chest and have a slightly sloping, muscular croup. They tend to
have long, muscular legs and hard, naturally well-formed hooves. Usually they
are brown, bay, chestnut, black, or gray, and stand between 15.2 16.2 hh.
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