Польский коник: история и современное состояние породы

Polish breed of horse

The Konik or Polish Konik (konik polski) is a Polish breed of pony. There are semi feral populations in some regions. They are usually mouse dun or striped dun in color. The Bilgoray (konik biłgorajski) of south eastern Poland is a sub type of the breed influenced by Arab and Thoroughbred blood; it is close to extinction. The extinct Sweyki or Schweike sub type of East Prussia contributed to the development of the Trakehner. The word "konik" means 'small horse'. It may be used in a wider sense to describe the Polish Konik and other similar breeds, among them the Hutsul of the Carpathian Mountains, the Polesian of Belarus and the Žemaitukas of Lithuania.

The Polish word konik (plural koniki) is the diminutive of koń, the Polish word for "horse" (sometimes confused with kuc, kucyk meaning "pony"). It means 'small horse'.

The Konik is a Polish horse breed descending from very hardy horses from the Biłgoraj region. These horses had a predominantly dun colour, but also black and chestnut horses were present in the population. However, genetic studies now contradict the view that the Konik is a surviving form of Eastern European wild horse, commonly called the tarpan, nor is it closely related to them. The Konik shares mitochondrial DNA with many other domesticated horse breeds and their Y DNA is nearly identical. During World War I, these horses were important transport animals for Russian and German troops and were called Panje horses. his stock actually had only a minor influence on the modern Konik population. Other breeders crossed Koniks with Anglo Arabians or the Thoroughbred to increase their quality as a riding horse. Minimum heartgirth measurement is , and minimum cannon bone measurement for mares, for stallions. Weight is .

Koniks today are bred either in barns or open reserves and under human guidance. The Konik was bred for a larger shoulder height in past decades, to improve its value as a working horse. A more graceful appearance, especially of the head, was established, as well. Black and sorrel horses have been largely selected out, but still appear on occasion, as do white markings.

As it is claimed to phenotypically resemble the extinct tarpan, the Konik has also been introduced into nature reserves in other nations. The Netherlands has multiple natural reserves spread over the country with (semi )feral Konik horses. One of the first places were the Konik horse was introduced was the Oostvaardersplassen reserve, where the biggest herd of free ranging feral Konik horses lives in the world. In 1983, 20 Konik horses were introduced in the reserve, but due to the fact that the horses have no natural predator in the reserve, the population increased rapidly and at a faster rate than was expected. The horses in the reserve are feral and by Dutch law it is prohibited to feed them or to interfere in their population size. In 2011 the herd consisted of 1150 Konik horses and in November 2017 this number reduced to 1050 horses, while the area of the reserve is meant for a maximum population of approximately 300 horses in order for the natural reserve to provide the horses with enough food. The Dutch citizens were outraged by the neglecting approach of Staatsbosbeheer, and a debate about possible alterations of the laws on interference with feral animal populations in Dutch reserves started. In 2019 a few hundred horses got transported to reserves in Spain and Belarus. However, the population still continues to increase and as of October 2020 the Oostvaardersplassen reserve was home to 540 Konik horses,