THE SOKOLSKI – POLISH DRAUGHT HORSE FROM NORTH-EASTERN POLAND

Published: 2024-02-02 14:27:55 Categories: Guides

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The Sokolski horses are a draught breed with strong and good gaits. Today, the breed is less commonly used as a working horse and unfortunately more frequently exported as a slaughter animal. This is quite a young Polish horse breed that was created only 100 years ago!

The Sokolski – heritage

Organized breeding in north-eastern Poland started in the middle of the 20^th century. It was managed by the General Board of State Studs which took care of around 100 studs, half of which were Russian Trotters. However, the trotters did not meet the demands of local farmers.

In agriculture, people usually used small working horses (primitive local breeds). Despite their small size, they had immense strength, resilience to cold, and undemanding diet. These horses were perfect for pulling a carriage; however, technological progress changed the demands of farmers, and there was a need for bigger horses to use for harder agriculture work, transport, and horse riding.

As a result, people wanted to refine the breed by mixing them with draught horses mostly from Belgium, France, and Germany including northern Swedish horses. This crossbreeding led to the creation of Sokolski horses that possess genes of Belgians, French and Swedish Ardennes, the Breton, and Dølehest.

From 1857, the Russian management of state studs had been organizing local horse shows in Grodnia, which led to an increase in the breed’s popularity. The stud of the Sokolski was situated near Sokółka (the name of the breed derives from the name of the village), Dąbrowa Białostocka, and are of modern Belarus (Grodna and Indura). The breed was also frequently used in studs in other parts of Poland and in Prussia; as a result, the Sokolski influenced many other draught breeds.

Breeding of draught horses in north-eastern Poland

Thanks to the systematic and thoughtful breeding, proper diet, and care of breeders and farmers, people created the characteristic draught breed with amazing traits.

In 1973, the official breeding ceased to exist, however, breeding was still conducted in smaller private studs that usually included merely a few horses.

In 2021, the number of mares and stallions that have the necessary breed traits was over 1 thousand – 698 mares and 369 stallions (mainly in the Podlaskie Voivodeship). What’s interesting, the study of the breed conducted under the conservation program of the equine genetic poll in 2008-2021, discovered that the average height of mares rises each year (155,9 cm in 2008, 157,1 cm in 2021) while the average circumference of the cannon decreases each year (25,3 cm in 2008, 24,6 cm in 2021).

The Sokolski – anatomy and characteristics

Horses of the Sokolski type have a dry and straight face with a pleasant expression. The head is set on a nicely muscular neck. The withers are not prominent while the back is wide, often long, and soft. The wide chest, sloping and strong croup, and muscular legs (slightly feathered, hard hooves) give these horses, just like other draught breeds, great pulling strength.

Coat: mainly chestnut in different shades, often with a light mane and tail; less commonly – roan, bay, and dark bay.

Height: 150 - 165 cm

It’s worth noting that some physical characteristics of the Sokolski differ depending on the environment. Nevertheless, some traits must stay unchanged in order for the horse to be classified – proportional and harmonious body or effective and good gait.

This breed (just as other draught breeds) usually reaches sexual maturity fast as well as grows and develops quickly.

The Sokolski – importance

These horses are very versatile, strong, and undemanding in terms of their maintenance. But these horses are also “light”, that is, their movement is graceful, and their gait is of good quality (especially walk and trot). This makes this breed perfect for carriage driving, transportation, and farm work.

These horses also have great temperament and resilience to low temperatures and poor diets, which makes them ideal animals to ride during harsh conditions (snowdrifts etc.). The Sokolski is not picky, fully utilizes the feed, has a long lifespan, and usually does not have major health problems.

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The Sokolski – price

The price for a Sokolski horse depends mostly on the animal’s age – 2- and 3-year-olds cost only a few thousand zlotys, while adult stallions and mares are priced around 20 thousand PLN (around 3900 pounds) to 30 thousand PLN (around 5900 pounds). The price might also depend on the horse’s conformation, pedigree, and sex.

Summary

The Sokolski is one of the only Polish breeds that is still bred by local farmers in north-eastern Poland. These docile, resilient, healthy, and fertile horses with excellent movement are perfect for carriage driving and work in areas that require minimal human interference with the environment (for example transportation in national parks). This breed also became part of local heritage, which helps to preserve traditions. These days, this amazing breed can still be admired during yearly horse shows.

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