Murakoz

Origin: Muraköz, Hungary.

Color: Usually chestnut, bay, and black, but occasional grays and roans are found.

Avg Height: 16 hh+

Avg Weight: 1100 to 1800 lbs

Build: There are actually two varieties, one that is heavier, and a lighter, smaller variety. Both types have a long head carried on a short, thick neck, a deep, close-coupled body with a sloping croup, and sturdy, lightly feathered legs. Both types have sumptuous manes and tails, and are compact and sturdy.

Temperament: Kind, willing and active.

Main use: Agricultural work.

Special abilities: An economical feeder, the Murakoz is noted for its good constitution and docile temperament. Used to develop the Hungarian Heavy Horse. Used primarily for agricultural and draught work. Early maturing; may be worked at 2 years of age.

History: Developed in the river Mura area of Hungary, and now also in Poland and Yugoslavia, the Murakoz is a relatively new breed still, produced in the twentieth century. It takes its name from the town of Muraköz in the southern part of the country. The Murakoz has Oriental, Percheron, Ardennes and Mur-Insulan influences. Native mares, known as Mur-Insulans, were subsequently crossed with Percherons, Ardennes, Norikers, and Hungarian half-breds (The half-breds carried Thoroughbred and Arabian blood) to produce a strong, good-quality, fast, and active animal which was in great demand, especially between the wars, for heavy agricultural work. In the 1920s a fifth of all horses in Hungary were Murakoz, but the breed suffered many losses in the Second World War and has not regained its former numbers. As a heavyweight farm horse, this breed once thrived. It faces becoming extinct due to Hungarian programs to breed stronger, sturdier draft horses by crossing them with imported Ardennes and Percherons. Despite attempts to upgrade, fewer and fewer are being bred successfully. While the Murakoz's future is looking bleak to some, it is not yet extinct. The Murakoz continues to be bred and used today in Hungary, Poland and in the countries that once made up Yugoslavia. During the 1970s nearly 85% of Hungary's population of 231,000 horses were employed for farming - and most of these were Murakoz. The breed was reestablished after World War II by importing 17 Ardennes stallion between 1947 and 1949 to rebuild the depleted stock. The result was favorable for the Murakoz, which met with the demands which encouraged a regrowth in arable farming.