Diversity

About Malapolski HorsesAbout Malapolski Horses





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.