Abstract

The article examines the historical aspects of Hutsul horse breeding on Ukrainian territory of the interwar Poland. The unique breed of the Hutsul horse is an important component of the Ukrainian cultural and natural heritage. This horse breed was formed in the Carpathians historically, that is well adapted to the specifics of local environment, climatic and economic conditions. The purpose of this article is to study the complex of measures and practices taken by the Polish authorities and the indifferent people on the Ukrainian territory of the interwar Poland, in order to preserve and promote the Hutsul horse breeding. Despite the extremely unsatisfactory amount of the population of these mountain horses after the end of the First World War, in the next twenty years it has been possible to implement a number of measures that have contributed to the conservation of the breed, and an increase in the number of livestock. With the help of enthusiasts and state support, a horse-breeding factory was founded in Sudova Vishnia, where a number of selective stallion-breeders was formed, and the nursery station in the Carpathians restored its activity. Regular exhibitions and inspections of Hutsul horses motivated the co-owners to take proper care of their horses and facilitate the exchange of experience in their feeding. Until the beginning of the Second World War, a network of stud farms appeared in the Carpathians. Each of these farms had a stallion of Hutsul breed, and peasants could obtain grants for breeding and keeping horses. In 1925, the Union of Horse Hutsul breeds was established. This organization devoted its activities to the revival of the Hutsul horse breed, its cultivation and popularization among the population. The Union of Horse Hutsul breeds acted intensively before the Second World War. The efforts to scale up the number of Hutsul horses were not sufficient, but still it helped to maintain and increase the unique breed of Ukrainian mountain horses before the war. The experience of maintaining the breed and encouraging its breeding is an interesting subject for studying and comparing with modern practices in this area.