The Posavac or Posavina, also known as the Croatian Posavac and the Croatian Posavina ( hr, Hrvatski posavac, sl, Posavski konj or ), is a
breed of medium-sized
draught horse
A draft horse (US), draught horse (UK) or dray horse (from the Old English ''dragan'' meaning "to draw or haul"; compare Dutch ''dragen'' and German ''tragen'' meaning "to carry" and Danish ''drage'' meaning "to draw" or "to fare"), less oft ...
with a high capacity for weight pulling. Throughout its history, the breed has been popular for pulling
wagon
A wagon or waggon is a heavy four-wheeled vehicle pulled by draught animals or on occasion by humans, used for transporting goods, commodities, agricultural materials, supplies and sometimes people.
Wagons are immediately distinguished from ...
s. It is also used for
forestry
Forestry is the science and craft of creating, managing, planting, using, conserving and repairing forests, woodlands, and associated resources for human and environmental benefits. Forestry is practiced in plantations and natural stands. ...
,
agricultural and other work.
History
The breed was developed in
Posavina
Posavina ( sr-cyr, Посавина) is a geographical region that stretches along the Sava river, encompassing only the inner areas of the Sava river basin, that are adjacent or near to the Sava river itself, namely catch region spanning fro ...
, a region alongside the
Sava
The Sava (; , ; sr-cyr, Сава, hu, Száva) is a river in Central and Southeast Europe, a right-bank and the longest tributary of the Danube. It flows through Slovenia, Croatia and along its border with Bosnia and Herzegovina, and finally t ...
river in
Croatia
, image_flag = Flag of Croatia.svg
, image_coat = Coat of arms of Croatia.svg
, anthem = "Lijepa naša domovino"("Our Beautiful Homeland")
, image_map =
, map_caption =
, capit ...
. It was based on a local
Slavonia
Slavonia (; hr, Slavonija) is, with Dalmatia, Croatia proper, and Istria, one of the four historical regions of Croatia. Taking up the east of the country, it roughly corresponds with five Croatian counties: Brod-Posavina, Osijek-Baran ...
n-Posavina, Posavian horse breed called ''bušak'' (bushak), whose mares were crossbred to quality stallions of other breeds including Arabian horse, Arabian, Nonius horse, Nonius, Noriker horse, Noriker and Percheron.
The majority of Posavina horses are in Croatia, but the breed is also present in Bosnia-Herzegovina and Slovenia, where it is reared principally for meat.
The registered population of Posavina horses in Croatia was estimated at 5131 individuals in 2013., so the breed is considered Endangered species, endangered (FAO classification No. II). The total population in Croatia was reported to DAD-IS as 5800–6000 in 2020. In Slovenia the number was reported as 1910 in 2020.
Characteristics
The Posavina horse ranges from in height and weighs . It is smaller than two other Croatian cold-blooded horse breeds, the Međimurje horse (155–165 cm) and Croatian Coldblood (150–160 cm). The Posavina horse may be bay (horse), bay or Seal brown (horse), seal brown, less often black (horse), black or Chestnut (coat), chestnut; other colours are much more rare.
The head of a Posavina is relatively small, the neck short and muscular, the shoulder deep and broad, the chest wide and deep, and the legs are short and strong, with broad hooves. The breed is known for its easy-going temperament; it is mild and patient, obedient and willing to work hard.
Gallery
File:Hrvatski posavac.JPG, A grey Posavac
File:Značajni krajobraz Odransko polje - hrvatski posavac.jpg, Horses grazing
File:Značajni krajobraz Odransko polje - ždrijebe hrvatskog posavca.jpg, A foal of the Posavac
See also
* Croatian Coldblood
* Međimurje horse
* List of horse breeds in DAD-IS
* List of mammals of Croatia
* Horses in Slovenia
References
External links
Features of Croatian autochthonous cold-blooded horse breedsExterior features of the Posavina horse from the area of the Odra and Lonja fieldCroatian Posavina horse – not only a working animal, but a horse for recreational purposes and therapeutic ridingPosavina horse – one of the genuine Croatian breeds protected by State Institute for Nature Protection (''in Croatian'')
Totally 5131 Posavac horses were registered in Croatia in 2013. (''in Croatian'')
{{Geographical regions of Croatia
Conservation Priority Breeds of the Livestock Conservancy
Horse breeds
Horse breeds originating in Croatia