Albanian horse
 Near Shishtavec, in Kukës County | |
| Conservation status | FAO (2007): not at risk[1]: 2 |
|---|---|
| Other names | Albanian: Kali shqiptar |
| Country of origin | Albania |
| Use | |
| Traits | |
| Weight | |
| Height | |
| Colour | dark colours or grey |
The Albanian (Albanian: Kali Shqiptar) is the only indigenous horse breed in Albania. It is a small horse, and similar to other Balkan horses. Two types are distinguished, a mountain type and a lowland type, which may be called "Myzeqeja" after the lowland Myzeqeja region.[4]: 11 [2]: 433
History
Before the communist era in Albania, the Albanian horse had a good reputation for endurance and stamina. From 1904 Arab stock was used for cross-breeding;[4]: 11 Haflinger and Nonius stock was later used.[2]: 433
Use
The horse was until recently the principal means of transport in the country, which had no tractors: it was thus essential to the national economy. Horses were used by the Albanian military until 1974. The Albanian horse is used almost exclusively in harness or as a pack animal, and only occasionally for riding.[4]: 11
References
- ^ Barbara Rischkowsky, D. Pilling (eds.) (2007). List of breeds documented in the Global Databank for Animal Genetic Resources, annex to The State of the World's Animal Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture. Rome: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. ISBN 9789251057629. Accessed January 2017.
- ^ a b c d Valerie Porter, Lawrence Alderson, Stephen J.G. Hall, D. Phillip Sponenberg (2016). Mason's World Encyclopedia of Livestock Breeds and Breeding (sixth edition). Wallingford: CABI. ISBN 9781780647944.
- ^ a b c d Breed data sheet: Comune/Albania. Domestic Animal Diversity Information System of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Accessed October 2014.
- ^ a b c Robin Hanbury-Tenison (2009). Land of eagles: riding through Europe's forgotten country. London; New York: I.B. Tauris. ISBN 9781441641274. p. 11.