by Charity Nicole Robertson

Created on: August 11, 2010   Last Updated: April 01, 2011

The Russian Don horse is simply amazing for its capacity to travel immense distances in extremely cold and hot temperatures. Also their endurance is so great that they are able to keep going long after their riders are ready to drop out of the saddle. These horses grew in fame after the war against Napoleon, when the Cossacks, a Russian Calvary unit known for their expert horsemanship, followed the Spaniards all the way to Paris, France.

During that trip most of the Spanish horses collapsed and died  not being able to cope with such drastically low temperatures and rough terrain. The Russians had no trouble, for their horses had been bred uniquely to be able to withstand anything that came their way. One certain man took two mares and traveled 2,633 kilometers in 30 days, which is an amazing accomplishment. 

The Russian Don was first developed in the area near the Don River, known as the Steppes Region, in the southwest part of Russia. At first, these horses were small, but after being crossed with larger breeds such as the Arabian and Thoroughbred, they came to be a good sized horse. Today, these horses range in size anywhere from 15.1 to 16.0 hands tall give or take.

These horses at first were principally bred and raised by the Cossacks, who skillfully turned them into a rugged horse that could excellently withstand the diverse temperatures in Russia.  The Cossacks, the feared Russian Calvary, proved the Russian Don's greatness by its capability to withstand well, no matter in which part of the country they were.  They are very brave and many a time have saved their riders during battle and other conflicts.

Russian Don's have a straight shoulder which somewhat limits their length of stride, but even so they surpass any other European breed for their endurance. They have long straight necks, though, there have been some with beautifully arched necks. For the most part they are chestnut colored with a bright shine to their coats, although at times, you may see some brown or bay Dons.  These horses are of average height with thick bodies which permits them to withstand great hardships.

Now, the Russian Don is becoming very popular as pleasure horses whereas before they were mainly used for harness or hacking. The Russian Don is greatly prized by the Russian people and they wouldn't trade them for one of the more well known breeds. For although they may not be the most fashionable horse breed they surpass them all for there ability to survive Russia at its worst.

Sources:

 http://www.horses.ru/don.htm

http://www.content4reprint.com/pets-and-animals/hors e-breeds-russian-don-horse-russian-heavy-draft-russi an-trotter-saddlebred.htm

http://www.equinekingdom.com/breeds/light_horses/rus sian_don.htm

http://www.worldofhorses.co.uk/horses_usa/breeds/hor se_breed_Russian_Don_Horse.htm

http://www.ansi.okstate.edu/breeds/horses/russiandon /index.htm

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