How Yakut horses manage to survive in the wild (6 photos)

We all know about the harsh living conditions in Yakutia. In that The region experiences large temperature fluctuations throughout the year. almost a hundred degrees Celsius. In winter, up to minus 64, and in summer the heat is higher 30 degrees.





But with all this, a large number of horses live in the region, which were not imported by the settlers of their southern and western parts. This a local breed that has managed to adapt to extreme conditions life.



Theoretically, the Yakut horses had owners who they were used for carrying luggage and as sleds. And not for them built no insulated stables, the animals were just on free grazing near habitation. It turns out a kind of small herd of a male leader, several fillies and foals. And their owners receive from tabuna meat and milk.

Horse breeding has long been a separate activity: horses are bred not only for domestic purposes, but for sale.





Horses look very funny. short legs, warm dense wool, manes with unusual bangs, a powerful body, knocked down. With a small stature, the horse seems massive.

Scientists consider them the result of popular selection. horses were next to the Yakuts for a very long time: when in the 13th century the people migrated to areas with a colder climate, only those who could survive survived adapt. And these properties are genetically transmitted to offspring. This one version of the origin.



The breed of Yakut horses is very ancient. Paleontologists found their remains in the most ancient, pre-glacial layers. It is possible that they were the ancestors of other horses who migrated south during cooling. It turns out that shaggy horses saw mammoths and woolly rhinos. And managed to survive them.

An interesting experiment was started 30 years ago: a population of several individuals were released into the reserve (Pleistocene Park). And herds completely able to survive on their own as wild animals. And The population not only survived, but also increased.



Yakut horses have several survival factors. Certainly, Of great importance is their coat with a very thick undercoat. short, but strong legs allow you to dig out moss and grass from under the snow.

Also, these horses are a great example of the rule. Bergman, according to which in a cold climate the greatest chances for survival in individuals with the highest ratio of volume to skin surface. That is, the more massive the body, the better.



These are the Yakut horses. Big head, a massive torso with short legs creates just the perfect the ratio of volume to skin surface. This theory has confirmation - the further north the herd lives in Yakutia, the more massive the horses in it are.