Malapolski horse were developed in the 19th century in
Lesser Poland, Polish Malopolska, hence the name. They are a versatile breed,
used today for light draft and under-saddle work.
They were developed from a combination of Arabian and
Thoroughbred blood, with significant contributions from the Furioso and Gidrán
breeds (both strains of Hungarian Anglo-Arabian. There are two distinct
varieties of the Malapolski. The first is the Sadecki, which was heavily
influenced by the Furioso line, and the second is the Darbowsko-Tarnowski,
heavily influenced by theGidrá and Shagya Arab Gidrán line. They were also influenced
by infusions of various other Arabian and Thoroughbred half-breeds. Today, they
are breed at five state studs in Poland: Stubno, Prudnik, Udorz, Walewice, and
Janow Podlaski, as well as being widely bred by individual citizens of
southeast and central Poland.
Malapolski horses generally stand from 15.3 to 16.2 hands
high, and may be bay, brown (a variation on bay), black, chestnut, gray, or
roan. Their head is well proportioned with a straight profile, the neck of good
length, the withers prominent, the chest wide and deep and the shoulders
sloping and long. The back is long and the croup slightly sloping. The legs are
well-muscled and long, with good joints and tough hooves. The breed has much in
common with the Wielkopolski, another Polish breed.
Malapolski horses are used for riding and light draft work.
They perform well in sporting competitions, especially show jumping.
About Malapolski Horses
