Bulgaria

    In 1864 the Turkish overlords established the Kabuik stud to supply horses for their army.  In 1878 the country was liberated, and the Bulgars took over the stud and foundation stock, which was predominantly of Arabian strains.  More State farms followed, with stallions imported chiefly from Austria , Hungary, and Russia (probably the U.S.S.R.).
    Today, despite mechanization, many horses are still used on the land and for transport, particularly in the hilly regions.  The Union of Physical Culture and Sports encourages all aspects of horsemanship, and Bulgarian horses compete at international races and, with the exception of Tokyo, in the Olympic Equestrian events.
    Many modern studs contain sections for English Thoroughbreds as well as for Gidran horses, those Anglo-Arabs of southeast Europe, and the Hungarian Nonius.  Heavy horses are bred in some parts of the country, and there is a Bulgarian type of Arab.
    One source also indicates that there is or was a Bulgarian farm horse (I'm sure of that, but whether it was a distinct breed, I don't know), and that there were also crosses between that breed and the Anglo-Arab, Norman, and Thoroughbred.

Equine Empire * Search - Breeds * Search - Locations * Search - Terms