| Abstract [eng] |
The article examines horse-breeding situation and trends of further development in Šiauliai region. The situation of horsebreeding has been analyzed in Akmenė, Joniškis, Kelmė, Pakruojis, Radviliškis, Šiauliai districts and Šiauliai city. It has been identified, that in the farms of Šiauliai district there are almost 17.6 % of all stock horses grown in Lithuania. The most popular horse breeds, mainly Lithuanian, are the following: Lithuanian Heavy Draught horses (26.4 %), Žemaitukai (10 %), Lithuanian Saddle horses (24.7 %) and Baltic Hanoverians (10.8 %). Such breeds as Trakhner (9.3%) and Hanoverians (10.1 %) are also quite popular among the Lithuanian horse- breeders. In Šiauliai region there are 20 different horse breeds registered. The highest number of non bloodstock horses was identified in Kelmė district (56,9 %) - the lowest in Šiauliai city (0,7% ). Kelmė district is dominated by 1-2 horse keepers, while in Joniškis district there is about 31,1% of all the bloodstock horses kept in Šiauliai region. According the statistical data each horse- breeder in Joniškis district has an average of 9,4 of the horse. Since 2011 up to 2013 total number of the horses bred in Šiauliai region has decreased by 18 %, mostly in Joniškis district – 42 %. Three of the six largest horse farms situated in Šiauliai district have the status of the breeding-ground (one of A category, one of B category and one of C category). Two horse farms having the status of the breeding- ground are situated in Radviliškis district (one of A category, one of B category). All three large horse farms situated in Joniškis district are breeding- grounds (A, B and C categories). There is only one horse breeding ground ranked in C category. While in Pakruojis Akmenė and Šiauliai districts there no registered horse breeding- grounds. Šiauliai district differs among others in the number of horses registered in ecological farms. 14 of the 451 horse registered in ecological farms are in Šiauliai district and 8 in Kelmė district. Small, up to 10 horses farms, are dominated in Pakruojis, Kelmė and Akmenė districts. The largest horse- breeding farms are in Šiauliai, Joniškis and Radviliškis districts. The horses bred in Šiauliai region are mostly kept for work or breeding purposes, also for horseback riding competitions, children’s occupation, leisure and therapy. Some horses are sold for breeding or sport purposes to foreign countries; some are used for tourism or educational purposes, while a part of the heavy draught horses are sold for meat production. The number of racing and harness horses is very low in the region. This is because of the lack of proper conditions – properly equipped racecourses and racing tracks. In Šiauliai region there is a number of entities providing educational, touring services, special occupational programs for children and disabled people. There are horses suitable for these purposes. The herds of young (0-8 years) horses are dominant. The horse- breeding of the region has a tendency to develop in the fields of bloodstock breeding, sports or recreational activities and would be more perspective if such groups of local community as children, young people, disabled, therapists and scientists would be involved. However for this the legal basis and tax exemptions are essential. |
