Large–type Žemaitukai horse population and principles of its conservation

The development of the large type Žemaitukai horse was started at the end of 19th century when the demand for a larger horse arose and the old type (small in size) Žemaitukai horse could no longer satisfy the needs of people. At that time in the north eastern part of Lithuania, Žemaitukai horses were crossbred with saddle (mostly of the Orlov breed) stud horses or with crossbred stallions of these breeds, and in the south - eastern part of Lithuania, Žemaitukai horses were crossbred with North Swedish stallions or crossbred stallions of the mentioned breeds. Such crossbreeding and later breeding inter se led to the development of a larger in size and more solid horse which from 1941 alongside with the old type Žemaitukai was called the local horse. Later, in about 1946, this type of horse was separated from the Žemaitukai and called the draft horse of East Lithuania. In 1949, these horses together with Žemaitukai horses were given the common name, the Žemaičių (Zhmudka) horse which included both types - the old one and the lager in size one. Since 1985, the latter type is no longer called Žemaičių (Zhmudka) but is named large type Žemaitukai. In 1963 - 1965, North Swedish stallions were imported for the improvement of large type Žemaitukai. At present many people and even specialists of agriculture are misled by the same Žemaitukai name used for the old type and large type horses. Nowadays bay, bay brown, mouse - grey, yellow dun with a stripe over back and black horses are most commonly spread. Line breeding was used for the large type Žemaitukai, but the breed consolidation of this type had not been completed. Since 1948 large type Žemaitukai have been recorded in the stud books as a native Lithuanian breed. The first stud book of Žemaičių (Zhmudka) genealogy was published in 1959 and continued to be published till 1996 as it was the responsibility of the Ministry of Agriculture. Since 2001 the stud books of large type Žemaitukai have been kept by Horse Breeders’ Association of Lithuania and later, beginning from 2003, by Lithuanian Heavy Draft Horse Breeders' Association. The restoration of Lithuania's independence enabled to change the views of the society regarding the conservation of the farm animal genetic resources. In 1996, unfavourable conditions have formed for the breeds developed in 20th century, such as large-type Žemaitukai horses, and they need action plans for conservation to be based upon the sustainable use in active breeding populations. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to work out the conservation strategy, selection schemes and determine the minimal, yet effective population size.