ABOUT US
At Polana Bonifacio we run a stableless breeding of horses of the Polish Konik breed (herd breeding). We use the horses for riding and harness. Our herd consists of a licensed stallion, breeding mares, youngsters and foals. The horses of our breeding take part in breeding exhibitions and championships.
A HERD
A herd is the basic social structure of wild horses. It consists of a single stallion and a harem of mares with foals. The stallion defends and maintains the family in the group, while a strict hierarchy prevails among the mares. The oldest or strongest dominates the others. She is the leader; if the stallion strays from the group, she decides when and where they will graze.
Foals are usually born between April and June. This is when the mares have enough food to produce milk. The milk is so caloric that after a year, the foals weigh five or six times more than at birth.
HISTORY OF THE POLISH HORSES
Polish horses are a native, primitive breed of horses, descended from wild horses of Eastern Europe, called tarpans.
Tarpans could still be found in Poland, Lithuania and Prussia in the 18th century. Around 1780, the last wild individuals were caught and placed in the menagerie of the Zamoyski Counts near Biłgoraj. Around 1806, they were removed from the menagerie and distributed to local peasants. As a result of crossbreeding with local horses, a breed was developed, called the Polish horse by Professor Vetulani. In 1936, this scientist began work on recreating wild tarpans based on Polish horses. During World War II, the breeding farm was destroyed, and some of the horses were taken to Germany. In 1949, the surviving horses were taken to Popielno, where they are still studied and bred conservatively. In addition to this center, in the 1950s and early 1960s, small stud farms were established in the country, where Polish horses were bred. Most of them were soon liquidated or their breeding was limited, but the breeding material was not lost and was used to create centers that have survived to this day.
DESCRIPTION OF THE POLISH HORSES
Polish horses are perfectly adapted to local environmental conditions: climate, soil, feed resources and breeding conditions.
They are very resistant to diseases, stress, are fertile and long-lived. They are not picky, use feed well, are very durable. They have a lively but balanced temperament, a gentle character, and are very intelligent.
The horses reach 130-140 cm in height. Adult horses weigh from 300 to 400 kg. They have a stocky, strong build, a short, low-set neck, flat, low withers, deep chest, long back. The head is medium-sized with a straight profile. Both the mane and tail are long, thick and dense. The coat is mouse-gray with a black stripe on the back.
PURPOSE OF THE POLISH HORSES
The Polish Horse has features that many other horse breeds can envy. It can be used as:
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