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Country Of Origin | Albania |
History and Background | There are two types of horses native to Albania, mountain horses (Mountain) & horses of the plains (Myzequea). Sadly, a lack of proper breeding programs has allowed interbreeding between them to blur lines of distinction. Before the communist era in Albania, the Albanian horse had a good reputation for endurance and stamina. From 1904 Arab stock was used for cross-breeding; Haflinger and Nonius stock has also been used. The horse was until recently the principal means of transport in the country, which had no tractors, and was essential to the national economy. Horses were used by the Albanian military until 1974. The Albanian horse is used almost exclusively as a pack animal, and only occasionally for riding. |
Use Today | General riding, Transportation and Cart horse |
Height | The Mountain Albanian is from 12.2 to 12.3 hands (around 49 inches, 125 centimeters) high, while the Plain Albanian is taller at around 13.2 hands (53 inches, 134 centimeters) high. |
Colour | They appear in common colours like chestnut, black, or gray. |
Characteristics | Though smaller and lighter, the Mountain Albanian has better endurance and higher resistance to disease. It is also slightly more agile, livelier, and more spirited than the Plain Albanian. For this reason, the Mountain Albanian is preferred for riding. The Plain Albanian, meanwhile, is heavier and taller. Due to its more massive form, it is mainly used for draft work; i.e., pulling carriages and light loads. Its gait is easy and natural, and it is quite strong for its size. Due to crossbreeding, however, the differences between the Mountain and the Plain types have blurred through the years and are no longer clearly apparent. Generally, the Albanian horse is chunky and stocky. |
Personality and Temperament | They are very high energy and are known for endurance. They also possess incredible agility and balance. |