The Trakehner horse has incorporated many of the positive features of these animals: hardy and graceful, able to walk both in harness and on horseback, and is also perfect for sporting events. For many centuries, the trakens are clean, although the scarcity of individuals makes them scarce even today.
The history of the breed
The appearance of the Trakehner breed dates back to 1732, when in the East Prussian village of Trakenen (modern-day Germany) an stud farm was opened with a population of 1,500 under the guidance of Frederick I.
Although the history of the trakens, in fact, begins much earlier - during the time of the Prussian colonization of the Teutonic Order, when the knights were engaged in breeding new horses, universal both in harness and in horseback riding.
The number of military campaigns at the time put forward new requirements for the racers, who were supposed to be strong enough, enduring and fast. To meet these goals, heavy knightly and light eastern stallions were crossed with mare mares.
As a result, by the middle of the 15th century, the Teutonic Order already had more than three dozen stud farms with a total population of almost 15,000 individuals of draft and up-and-down durable horses. 
By the time Frederick I ascended the throne, the Prussian state needed strong cavalry. Therefore, the ruler created in Trakenen the first royal stud farm, which was supposed to provide the cavalry with strong and strong horses.
Learn more about horse breeds such as: heavy (frieze, Shire, Vladimir heavy, tinker) and riding (Akhal-Teke, Karachai, Appaloosa, Arab).
Trakenensky plant began to operate in two directions - the creation of riding horses for the army and strong working horses for agricultural land.
At first, small forest mares and brave eastern stallions were used for breeding - Persian and Turkish, Arabian and Berberian, Spanish and Neapolitan, for this purpose they even brought two Don stallions. A little later, they were joined by representatives of the English breed.
Video: all about trakenenskoy breed horses By the end of the XIX century, stallions of thoroughbred riding and Arabian breeds were recognized as the best for breeding.
Mixed half-blooded individuals were allowed, but they had to meet the basic requirements:
- large sizes;
- high growth;
- long body;
- long and straight neck;
- strong legs;
- docile nature.
From the second half of the 19th century, horses brought out in Trakenen already met these requirements. Stallions began to be actively used in sports - smooth racing, steeple-chees, parforsnye hunting, dressage, jumping, triathlon, and mares used for agricultural purposes.
Thus, a thoroughbred, massive and enduring Trakehner horse was created. This breed went down in history as one of the most sought after in equestrian sports. 
Throughout the 20th century, the trakens occupied prizes in many competitions. At the plants of the horses of this breed, they must be branded around the left thigh with a sign in the form of a seven-pointed elk horn.
It will be useful for you to read about how to properly maintain and care for horses, how mating of horses takes place, how to harness horses correctly.
Throughout its history, the truckies have been on the verge of extinction. During the Second World War, when evacuating horses from Germany to Western Europe, most individuals died. No more than a thousand horses reached the destination.
By the middle of the XX century, the livestock was a record small - only about 50 stallions and 600 mares. It was only possible to save the breed from extinction thanks to the enthusiastic breeders, who set a goal to save the track.
Since 1960, the trakehner horse was bred clean and was retrained by German horse breeders from cavalry to sports. 
Did you know? The most expensive horse in the world recognized representative of the English riding breed - stallion nicknamed frankel. The cost of the horse was estimated at $ 200 million, which is a record until today.1974 was a significant year for the trakens, since this year the first breeding book of the Trakeneen breed was created. Looking at the fact that the Trakehner horses excelled excellently in various sports, the demand for them also increased outside of Germany - in America and European countries.
Important! Trakehner horse breed is the national pride of Germany.
The appearance of the modern trakehner
Thoroughbreds have a typical appearance for sport horses, characterized by a certain dryness, elegance and aristocracy. Large sizes are combined with elegance, easy mannered move and nobility of character. 
Exterior
External signs of the Trakehner horse:
- head of regular shape, dryish, with graceful lines, large, glossy and deep eyes, wide forehead and slightly concave or straight profile;
- the neck is of medium length, with straight lines, tapered, thin, elegant;
- chest wide and deep;
- body powerful, medium length;
- shoulders sloping, shoulder blades long;
- withers high, muscular, with developed muscles;
- topline is regular and straight;
- lower back with developed muscles;
- oval croup with long thigh muscles;
- legs of the correct form and statement, with clearly defined joints and developed muscles;
- The hooves are large and powerful, wide, regular shape.
Familiarize yourself with the best horse suits, in particular, with a bouillon, muscled and bay suit.
Important! The shape of the head of a trakenen horse is considered to be the ideal model of a horse's head.
Suits that are found in this breed:
- black;
- bay
- redhead;
- occasionally gray.
Trakens make a favorable impression, they look like aristocratic and noble racers. Their movements are light and graceful, distinguished by the clarity, rhythm and elegance of the step.
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The size
Trakehner breed is the owner of large size and high growth.
Stallions have the following measurements:
- height at withers is on average 166 cm, although there are higher representatives, reaching 174 cm;
- girth in the chest - up to 195 cm;
- circumference of the metacarpus - 21 cm.
Mares a little smaller:- average height - about 164 cm;
- chest girth - 194 cm;
- lap circumference - 20 cm.
Character traits
Trakeny very clever and good-natured. Their character is fully consistent with appearance. For example, they have such features:
- appeasability, gentleness and obedience, which makes Traken good students, because they are not bad trainable;
- nobility of behavior, which is manifested in calm reactions, mannered, light movements;
- patience and endurance;
- intelligence;
- intellectuality;
- high efficiency;
- activity and mobility;
- courage, fearlessness and the ability to take risks when necessary;
- ability to listen to a person and communicate with him on an equal footing.
Tracs are not just animals, well suited for riding and sports, they are also able to become a friend of a person, feel the mood and respond to him.
Since these horses were taken out especially for the cavalry army, their character harmoniously combined the ability to bravely take risks, endurance, mobility and submissive loyalty to man, which made the traken a perfect cavalry horse.
We advise you to read about how to care for such small horses as ponies and falabella.
Trakehner horse cost
Acquiring a horse trakenen is not a cheap pleasure. It belongs to the elite breeds, and the price for it ranges from $ 2,000 to 10,000 and is directly dependent on the pedigree of the animal, its sporting achievements, age, gender and state of health.
For example, old or sick individuals will cost the least - up to $ 1000, but for horses without pedigree, young stubborn stallions without sports training and mares, the price can reach $ 3000-6000. 
The price is highest for young, strong and healthy geldings with sports training and a noble pedigree - it can exceed even the specified limits. In many ways, the cost is formed by famous parents.
Care and maintenance of the truck
To make them feel good, be healthy and strong, show good results in competitions, they need to provide quality care.
- The stable and the stall must be clean. Cleaning is done daily. Once a month the room is treated with antiseptic agents from parasites and pests. The room should be dry, without drafts and high humidity.
- The stall for each horse must be equipped with a feeding trough and a water bottle, in which there are always fresh feed and clean drinking water.
- The tracks are active and therefore need a long walk. For walking large pastures are used so that the horses could relish frolic.
- Individuals participating in competitions need daily training and hard training. The irregularity of training will lead to the fact that the horses will not be sufficiently trained, strong and enduring.
- To maintain the attractive appearance of the track, it is necessary to regularly comb and bathe. Once a week, horses are washed with special hair and mane care products for horses. In the summer, this procedure is carried out more often - twice a week. Bathing water should be at room temperature, and the place for water procedures should be specially equipped and warm. In summer, you can bathe your horse right on the street and leave it to dry in the sun. In winter, after taking a bath, the animal must be wiped dry.
Did you know? Trakehner horse has its own monument! It was created by R. Kuebart for the 200th anniversary of Trakenen. The sculpture depicts a traken named Tempelhuter, which the breeders consider to be the standard of the Trakehner horse.
Particular attention should be paid to feeding the trakenen horse and adhere to the following recommendations:
- Despite the fact that the trucks are rather large animals, their stomach is still very small. This necessitates frequent and fractional feeding in small portions;
- for the proper functioning of the gastrointestinal tract and the chewing needs of the animals, they must be given forage
- the introduction of any new product in the diet should occur gradually, so that the stomach has time to get used to the new food;
- the horse must have constant access to clean drinking water. It is best to give purified water, as a last resort defended. Change the drink once a day, and in the summer - twice;
- dishes, from which to eat and drink a horse, should always be clean and wash after each meal;
- the diet of the animal is formed from its use and physical activity;
- after eating the horse needs rest to digest the food. Do not immediately load it physically;
- the feed that the horse eats must be of high quality and proven. Do not allow mold and mildew in it.
Important! Traken’s health depends largely on regular check-ups. - you need to carefully monitor the condition of the mouth and teeth, brush your teeth, cut off the sharp, as well as give the horse preventive drugs for worms and parasites, contact the veterinarian if any deviations in behavior or well-being of the animal.
Sports achivments
Horses of the trakenen breed entered the history as multiple winners of various equestrian sport competitions.
The most outstanding achievements of the traken can be considered:
- 1921-1936 - in the big Pardubice steeple-chese, the stallion Vityaz received 5 wins;
- 1924 - Balte stallion won the triathlon in Paris;
- 1936 - trakenensky horses won a large number of prizes at competitions in Berlin;
- 1965 - at the English royal exhibition the horse named Arithmometer became the champion in the Gunter class;
- 1970 - the world famous horse Ash won the first place in the World Cup Championships. A little later in the Munich Olympiad he became the owner of silver;
- 1980 - many sportsmen received awards on the track at the Olympic Games. Particularly distinguished traken Carpet, beat a record in high jump;
- 1984 - the Olympic Games, in which the trakenen horse, nicknamed Abdullah, won gold for the team performance and silver for the individual;
- 1985 - stallion Abdulla won the championship at the World Cup.
Important! Allure of the Trakenensky breed is recognized as one of the most beautiful in the world, because the step of these horses is very clear, precise and frisky, with a large capture of space.
The Trakehner horses are distinguished by their versatility - they are strong and hardy enough to go harness, but on the other hand, they are fast, graceful and easily trained, making them the best challengers for a sporting career. These animals are valued not only as good producers, athletes and labor, but also as a true friend of a man with a sweet temper and ability to listen.
