Analysis of horse breeding and equestrian sports in the Republic of Croatia

Abstract

Horse breeding in the Republic of Croatia, before its entrance into European Union, is in the transitional period. In the breeding sense, Croatian horse breeding is set according to the model of European countries and is trying to counteract with ?modern horse breeding countries?. Croatian Center for Horse Breeding - Djakovo and Lipik State Stud Farms (CCHB), with the Central register of equidae is, as the head national institution, responsible for running and maintaining national central equidae database (49 registers of horses and 27 registers of breeding types). Croatia has registered total of 21.796 equidae, from which 19.306 animals are horses. Registered horses according to groups make the total proportion of 37% warmblood horses, 59% coldblood horses and 4% ponies. Horse breeders are organized in breeders associations, which form federations of associations referring to separate horse breeds. Currently in Croatia there are four federations of breeders associations (with 43 associations and 11 private stud farms). Those verified breeding organizations are conducting independently breeding programs and fully maintain breeding and selection obligations for horse breeds for which they have approval of the Croatian Ministry. Native breeds in Croatia are Croatian Coldblood, Croatian Posavac and Medjimurje horse (Murinsulaner), while Lipizzan horse is considered as protected breed. Development of horse breeding is considerably supported with national subsidies. Internationally verified breeds which are bred in Croatia are Lipizzan horse, Pure Arabian horses, Thoroughbred, Haflinger and Gidran horses. The horse breeding in Croatia is developing in four different directions. Ecological breeding implies native horse breeds and is spread on the areas of protected nature resorts in Croatia. Croatians are through their history connected to horse breeding, which is even today irreplaceable in traditional cultural manifestations (Djakovacki vezovi, Vinkovacke jeseni, Sinjska alka, etc.), various horse shows and fairs and also in more ?modern? ways through recreation and entertainment. The third direction of development of horse breeding in Croatia is therapeutic riding, which includes 26 associations, over one hundred horses and over one thousand users organized under the Therapeutic Riding Association of Croatia. Sports horse breeding represents fourth direction in Croatian horse breeding. It is formed by four federations: Croatian Trotting Federation (trotting), Croatian Gallop Federation (gallop sport) and Croatian Equestrian Federation (endurance, dressage, military, show jumping, driving). Croatian Equestrian Federation includes 49 equestrian clubs. In the last four years between 455 and 582 competitors and between 495 and 581 horses (for show jumping 45%, dressage 31%, endurance 19%, driving 5% and military) were licensed annually. Croatia achieved noticeable results on the international scene in driving sports and in Paralympics. In all mentioned directions of Croatian horse breeding, the tendency should be directed to achieving higher breeding standards (nutrition, stabling, transport, training) and more rational using of horses. Such breeding and using of horses will lead to top bred horses and successful sport horses. This implies synchronized work through long period of time, respecting institutional and breeding rules.