East Bulgarian

East Bulgarian

East Bulgarian mare and foal in Kabiuk, near Shumen
Alternative names	Източнобългарски кон
Country of origin	Bulgaria
Equus ferus caballus

The East Bulgarian is an elegantly built warmblood breed of horse that developed over the last 100 years. They are used mainly for under saddle and light draft work, and are well-suited for a variety of competitive sports, ranging from dressage to eventing.^[1]

History

The East Bulgarian began to be developed at the end of the 19th century at the "Kabiuk" stud farm (former Vassil Kolarov) near Shumen and at stud farm in Bozhurishte near Sofia, in Bulgaria, by crossing local horses with Arabians, Anglo-Arabians, Thoroughbreds and English half-breds. Once established, only additional Thoroughbred blood was added to improve the breed's quality. They were officially recognized as a breed in 1951.^[2]

Breed characteristics

An East Bulgarian in profile.

The East Bulgarian generally stands 15 to 16 hands (60 to 64 inches, 152 to 163 cm) high,^[1] and is usually chestnut, black, or bay.^[3] Typically, East Bulgarians have quiet but energetic temperaments and are nicely put together, with good conformation. In appearance, they have a fine head with a straight profile that is well set onto an elegant, muscular neck. The withers are prominent, and they have strong shoulders, a full and deep chest, a straight, long back, a slightly sloping croup, and well-made, though muscular, legs.^[2]

References

1. 1 2 Bongianni, Maurizio (1988). Simon & Schuster's Guide to Horses and Ponies. Simon & Schuster, Inc. p. 45. ISBN 0-671-66068-3. 
2. 1 2 "East Bulgarian". Equine Kingdom. Retrieved December 20, 2007. 
3. ↑ "East Bulgarian". Oklahoma State University. Retrieved December 20, 2007. 

Wikimedia Commons has media related to East Bulgarian.

Equine
Equine science and management	Equine anatomy Equine nutrition Horse behavior Horse care Horse breeding Horse genome Equine conformation Equine coat color Horse gait
Equestrianism and sport	Glossary of equestrian terms List of equestrian sports Horse tack Bit Bridle Saddle Harness English riding Western riding Driving Horse training Horse racing Equestrian at the Summer Olympics (medalists, venues) Horse show Equitation
Evolution and history	Domestication of the horse Horses in warfare Horses in the Middle Ages Horses in the United States Horses in East Asian warfare History of the horse in South Asia Horses in the Napoleonic Wars Horses in World War I Horses in World War II History of the horse in Britain Horse worship Horse burial
Horse breeds, types and other Equidae	Horses List of horse breeds Draft horse Feral horse Gaited horse Mountain and moorland pony breeds Sport horse Stock horse Warmblood Wild horse Other Equus List of donkey breeds Donkey Zebra Onager Hybrids Hinny Mule Zebroid
Category Commons WikiProject Horses portal