The Oriental Bulgarian horse
Gentle and calm, this horse is resistant, energetic, and active. This animal is considered a very good horse, and the breed has been oriented towards equestrian sports for some forty years now.
Caractère et aptitudes du cheval
It is seen as a good jumper, with supple gaits.
Utilisations du cheval
This excellent saddle horse is appreciated for its sporting activities (show jumping, dressage). At the end of the 19th century, at the Vassil Kolarov stud farm in Bulgaria, this saddle horse was created from English Thoroughbreds and half-bloods, Arabians, and Anglo-Arabs, crossed with local breeds. The Thoroughbred is the only breed currently used to improve the qualities of this horse which, as you can imagine, was originally a heavy type used for agricultural work. From the 1980s onwards, various crosses were made to turn the Eastern Bulgarian into a horse for equestrian sports. With less than two hundred horses left in Bulgaria, the species has been identified as rare, even endangered. The paradox is that the Bulgarian state declares the breed to be risk-free, in contradiction to some other organizations that highlight the low numbers of Oriental Bulgarian horses and the risks that could cause their disappearance.
Morphologie du cheval
Having described the characteristics of this horse, it’s essential to be able to recognize it. Here are the different morphological elements that define the Oriental Bulgarian.
Light head. Straight profile. Well-flared nostrils. Moderately long ears. Compact body. Long neck. Prominent withers. Shoulder muscular, oblique. Deep chest. Straight back. Strong loins. Ample croup, slightly sloping. Strong limbs. Good musculature. Dry tendons. Well-conformed feet. Coat: chestnut, black. Size: 1.50 to 1.60 m.
For further information: The Oriental Bulgarian
