Murakozi

The Murakozi originated around the area of the river Mura in Southern Hungary and continues to be bred there today, as well as in Poland and the countries formerly belonging to Yugoslavia. The breed developed as a result of crossing native Hungarian and Polish mares with Percheron, Ardennais and Noriker stallions. Considerable Arabian blood was introduced to the breed at the beginning of the 20 th century and, although the Murakozi is called a coldblood, they do have quality from their Eastern influence which is not seen in the majority of coldbloods. This combination has produced a useful, quality draft horse that is extremely strong and fast for a heavy horse. Murakozi horses have compact body with short, strong legs and are ideal for havey agricultural work. They also mature very young and are quite capable of beginning to work at two years old. They are being generally possessed of a willing and biddable temperament, are an easy horse to handle. There are two types within the breed - a more massive built horse and a finer one, that is suitable for riding as well as draft work. In appereance, they tend to have a plain head with a large kind eye. The neck is short and muscular, being typical of the draft horse, and is set to very powerful shoulders. The croup tends to be quite sloping with a low-set tail. They generally do not have a great deal of feather on the legs, and are mostly liver chestnut with a flaxen mane and tail, and stand at approximately 16 hh.