Konik
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[Photo] A konik horse in the Oostvaardersplassen nature reserve in the Netherlands. Date: 16 September 2004

The konik is a small Polish horse, a kind of semi-wild pony. In Poland these horses are called koniks, this word comes from the Polish diminutive for a horse, but refers to several breeds. These koniks show many primitive features, for example some breeds have the dun coat and dorsal stripe.

In 1936, professor Tadeusz Vetulani of Poznan University began attempts to breed the extinct tarpan back to its original state. The Polish government commandeered all the koniks, which displayed tarpan-like features. The result of this selective breeding programme is that semi-wild herds of koniks can be seen today in many nature reserves and parks.

Nature reserves
As it is genetically very close to the extinct tarpan, the original European wild horse, it has been introduced into many nature reserves in the Netherlands such as the Oostvaardersplassen.

Along with deer, the wisent and the Heck Cattle, the konik are big grazers. They keep the landscape open, and when kept without supplemental winter feeding, they alter the landscape to produce more parklike forest.

In Maastricht, the Netherlands, a herd was released in 1995, in 'de Kleine Weerd', a 12 hectare strip of land (roughly 100 m by 1 km) along the river Meuse. The area is open to the public, but people are advised not to go near the horses because their reaction is unpredictable. Koniks have also been introduced in Latvia and the United Kingdom because of the success of such programs. Koniks have been introduced into Wicken Fen near Cambridge by the National Trust.

Physical Characteristics
height at the shoulder: 134cm
chest circumference: 168cm
Short height, strong and stocky build, light head with a straight profile, growing low out of the chest. Has a deep chest, a thick mane, the hide is mouse-grey.

Prevalence in Poland
private breeders: 310 females, 90 males
state studs: 120 females, 50 males

Breeding Centres
nature reserves: Popielno, Roztoczanski National Park, Stobnica Research Station of the Farm Academy of Poznan
stud conditions: Popielno, Sierakow

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Konik

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