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Zebra

Alternative Name
N/A
Basic Info

In body form all equids are quite similar. They are specialized for running and for grazing on siliceous grasses, which rapidly wear down the teeth. Species can be differentiated, however, on the basis of qualitative and quantitative characteristics of the skull, tooth morphology and length and robustness of the metapodials (foot bones). There are also variations in size, color, color patterning, hoof size and shape, mane length, presence or absence of a forelock, tail hair length and distribution, number and size of chestnuts and vocalizations

Health

N/A

Habitat

land

Behavior

One reason all equids are vulnerable in the face of hunting pressures and habitat loss is that they reproduce slowly. Gestation lasts eleven to thirteen months, depending upon the species, and almost always only one foal I dropped each season. Most researchers, however, report that mares foal only every other year. Sexual maturity occurs at age two in females and age three to five in males. Life span can extend twenty or more years

Origin

Africa

History

Close relatives of the horse persist in the wild today in several parts of the Old World. Taxonomic interpretations vary, but most experts place them all in the genus Equus. The handsome striped equids of Africa fall into three distinct species: Grevy’s zebra (Equus grevyi), the plains or Burchell’s zebra (Equus burchelli =Equus quagga), and the mountain zebra (Equus zebra). Of these, the Grevy’s zebra is most distinct. Taxonomically it is placed in the subgenus Dolichohippus, whereas the plains and mountain zebras are placed in the subgenus Hippotigris. The continued survival of most of these fascinating and spectacular species is threatened. Despite the establishment of sanctuaries, many populations are faced with diminishing ranges and decreasing numbers.

Common Foods

Zemaituka (Zhumd)

Alternative Name
Zhumd
Basic Info

The Zemaituka has a fairly bulky frame. They have a broad, muscular neck set into a deep chest. The back is short and compact, the croup sloping, and the tail low-set. The shoulder is fairly upright. The legs are short and muscular with tough hooves, and the breed commonly has poor hocks. The ponies are usually a mouse-dun color with primitive markings, including a dorsal stripe. They may also be brown, bay, black, or palomino. The Zemaituka usually stands between 13.2 and 14.2 hh.

Health

N/A

Habitat

N/A

Behavior

During the 19th century, Arabian blood was added, giving the horse an Arab-type head. The infusion of Arabian blood created two types of Zhumd: one with Arabian ancestry of a fine, saddle-type quality, the other, with less Arabian blood, more suited toward draft work. Hawever, since World War II, there has become less of a distinction between the two types, as a conscious effort was made to increase the size and bulk of the animals so that they would be well-suited for riding and draft work. Due to the harsh climate they must endure, Zhumds are frugal feeders and can survive with meager forage and freezing temperatures. The ponies are extremely tough with seemingly endless stamina and endurance. The breed usually has a good temperament, and the animals are used for riding, light draft, and farm work. They are quite agile and athletic, and produce great sport horses when crossed with lighter, larger breeds.

Origin

Lithuania

History

The Zemaitukas or the Zhumd is a pony breed originally from Lithuania. The origin is not exactly known, but most believe the Zhimd to be related to the Konik from Poland, most probably descended from the Tarpan. Most recently, Russian breeds have influenced the Zemaituka, as well as the light Polish breeds.

Common Foods

grass

Zhemaichu

Alternative Name
N/A
Basic Info

The old Zhemaichu type was small in size (up to 144 cm in height); it had a small straight or somewhat dished face head with a wide forehead. The neck was well muscled, the trunk undersized, the withers not too high, the black flat and solid, and the legs clean and firm. Their small height and consequently insufficient strength were the main deficiencies. The modern Zhemaichu formed in the post-war years by pure breeding and the selection of large individuals with high work endurance, and through limited crossbreeding with North Swedish stallions, is taller (152-154 cm), has a somewhat extended trunk (157-160 cm) and a very massive body with a girth of 188-190 cm, as well as clean legs with a cannon bone girth of 10-20 cm. The new intra-breed type has retained the characteristic exterior features of the old Zhmudka.

Health

N/A

Habitat

N/A

Behavior

The Zhemaichu is a very good combination of utility and sporting horse features. It is quite strong and has good endurance and agility. The best time shown in 2 km trotting draught tests with a pull of 50 kg is 4 min 42.6 sec. The Zhemaichu has also shown good results in steeplechases of average difficulty. It is not accidental therefore that in their time Lithuanian horses were the foundation for breeding the Trakehnen. Their massive and clean build combined with their sporting potential make the breed valuable material for breeding medium-sized horses for large-scale equestrian sport and tourism.

Origin

America

History

The Zhemaichu also known as the Zhmudka since the 16th century is a forest type of native Lithuanian breed. The Zhemaichu are highly adjustable and have long been sent overseas to Western Europe. The earlier breeds of Zhemaichu were smaller but the modern Zhemaichu after the post-war years are much larger. This was accomplished through pure breeding and limited crossbreeding with North Swedish stallions. This created a modern Zhemaichu with a somewhat longer trunk, massive body, as well as having great endurance but still maintaining the distinguishing exterior features of the early breed of Zhmudka. The Zhemaichu was a foundation breed for the Trakehnen. The Zhemaichu is very strong with great stamina and agility. These horses are used for utility and sporting events such as steeplechases. The Zhemaichu make quality breeding material to medium-sized horses for sport and tourism because of their massive size and clean build. The Zhemaichu stallions are also being used to help develop the new meat-producing breed in the Altai.

Common Foods

grass