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American Tarpan Studbook Association article
Taken from the October 1982 edition of the Western Horseman.
You may click on the image to see a larger picture.
Printed with permission of Western Horseman and Legal Representatives of Ellen J. Thrall, Copyright October 1982.
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American Tarpan Studbook
Association
By Ellen J. Thrall, Registrar
THE Tarpan horse was designed by nature for survival in the wild, rather than being selectively bred by man for a specific task. The head of the Tarpan is large with strong jaws necessary for an animal that must consume tough grasses and chew snow and ice for water during the winter. The neck is very thick because a Tarpan stores fat there as a reserve of energy for lean periods. The back is short and the withers rounded, making them designed for strength.
The dun color serves to help the horse blend into his natural environ
Junior, a Tarpan gelding owned and ridden by Brenda Thomas. Everett Thrall Photo
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ment. The legs of the Tarpan are large in comparison to his size, and the dark hoofs are extremely tough. The walls of his hoofs are so thick, the Tarpan never requires shoes to protect his feet.
The small size of the Tarpan is another characteristic resulting from his design by nature. The usual height is 13 to 13-2 hands. Interestingly, "feral" horses such as the mustang usually revert back to this size when living in the wild.
The temperament of the Tarpan horse also differs from the domestic horse because the Tarpan prefers to think for himself and not trust a human to make decisions for him. This intelligence is often mistaken for stubbornness by people trying to train the Tarpan.
Tarpans, like all horses, are herd animals and should be kept in a pasture environment, in natural family groups with the stallion, mares, and foals together. Weaning foals is usually not too traumatic for the foals because in a herd situation, the stallion will drive them away from their mothers when they are about ten months old. The studs drive the fillies as well as the colts from the herd, which prevents inbreeding.
Why, then, would a "modern" person choose to own a "prehistoric" Tarpan? A horseman who seeks an intelligent, small but sturdy horse, and who doesn't wish to spend money on farrier bills and fancy stalls just might find that Tarpans are terrific!
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