{"id":801,"date":"2010-08-09T12:10:15","date_gmt":"2010-08-09T12:10:15","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.theequinest.com\/breeds\/?p=801"},"modified":"2025-11-04T05:41:37","modified_gmt":"2025-11-04T05:41:37","slug":"lithuanian-draft","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theequinest.com\/breeds\/lithuanian-draft","title":{"rendered":"Lithuanian Heavy Draft"},"content":{"rendered":"

Intro<\/h3>\n

Also called Lietuvos Sunkieji, the Lithuanian Heavy Draft comes from Lithuania and is one of the more handsome of the draft breeds.
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Origins<\/h3>\n

Breeding began late in the 19th century by crossing Zhumd<\/a> animals with Arabian<\/a>, Ardennes<\/a>, Brabancon<\/a> and Shire<\/a> bloodlines. The result was a heavy draft of a hardy size, but well proportioned and handsome. Not just about looks, they were also ‘easy keepers’ that could sustain on little food. <\/p>\n

A studbook was established in 1951 and the breed recognized. So good were the animals they were used to develop and improve breeds in neighboring countries. In 1997, Zhumd and Heavy Draft breeders formed an alliance, working together to preserve the bloodlines of heavy breeds in the country. According to the DAD-IS they are endangered and as of 2023 there were 2454 left.<\/p>\n

Features<\/h3>\n

Average height 15 – 16 hands<\/p>\n

Physique<\/h3>\n

Head is coarse and large
\nNeck is short and muscular
\nBack is long and can be dipped
\nLegs are solid and well set<\/p>\n

Traditional Colors<\/h3>\n

chestnut<\/a> | black<\/a> | bay<\/a> | grey<\/a> | roan<\/a> | flaxen<\/a><\/p>\n

Temperament<\/h3>\n

Kind and willing<\/p>\n

Use<\/h3>\n

Farm work
\nHeavy draft
\nImproving other breeds
\nMeat production<\/p>\n

Helpful Links<\/h3>\n

Lithuanian National Stud<\/a>
\nAnimal Science Institute, Lithuanian Farm Animal Genetic Resources Conservation Coordinating Centre<\/a>
\nLithuanian Heavy Draft Horse Breeders Association<\/a><\/p>\n

More Images<\/h3>\n
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\n\"Lithuanian\n<\/div>\n
\n\"Lithuanian\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Video<\/h3>\n