Lenka Gotthardová | Michaela Purnochová
The Hucul – a small, hardy and remarkably loyal horse from the Carpathian Mountains. For centuries it served people in the toughest terrain, and today it wins the hearts of riders across Europe.
HUCULS – Horses with the soul of mountains
Modesty, courage, dignity, loyalty, hard work and friendship – all of these fit into the body of a small but incredibly strong horse from the Carpathian mountains. Huculs are not just ‘horses’. They are personalities. They can look you in the eye in a way that will make you think they know what you are feeling and thinking. And if you give them time and your trust, they will open their hearts to you and become a part of your life. A silent friendship will be formed – for life.
Born in the mountains, raised by stories
Huculs were born where the winters are long, the summers short and the roads steep and rocky. For centuries, they carried the inhabitants of Carpathian villages to places where other horses wouldn’t dare to venture. They carried heavy loads without difficulty, crossing rushing torrents and confidently climbing up narrow mountain trails.
You will no longer see them carrying heavy sacks of flour and goods on their backs. They are more likely to be seen in pastures, standing still in the wind. But they still exude the same strength, poise and determination. And when they look at you, you know the horses carry centuries of stories with them. Mostly tough ones.
Every foal is a little miracle
After the Second World War, it seemed that Huculs would disappear forever. Inappropriate cross-breeding and the decline of the original herds almost spelled the end. But in the 1970s, a few enthusiasts decided not to let that happen. They toured the stables and pastures of Central Europe, picked the last purebreds they could find and put a mosaic of individuals fit for breeding back together. It is thanks to them that Huculs are not a thing of the past now.
Today, they are registered as a protected genetic resource in the Czech Republic – and every new foal is a small miracle. Living proof that real values never cease to be relevant. Even with the passage of time.
A HORSE THAT KNOWS THE WAY WHERE THERE IS NONE
Huculs always find a way. They will take you where the real adventure begins. A path barely wider than their backs, a rocky cliff, a dense forest or a stream that has only been there since yesterday. They sense danger before you do. They don’t panic. They just look around and choose a different path. Poised and calm. But they need to know you trust them. They are used to living in herds where the rules are clear and relationships strong. And they expect the same from people – clarity, justice and calm power. When they get it from you, they will be loyal to you until their last breath.
A partner for everyone
Huculs are ideal for relaxed rides, hippotherapy, light work and for people who are only learning to ride. At 140 cm at the withers, they may not be intimidating, but they are sturdy and can easily carry a grown man. They are modest in their demands, they don’t need a luxurious stable or expensive feed – all they need is a grazing pasture and some minerals.
A legacy of the mountains that lives on
Huculs are one of the four original Czech horse breeds and an endangered species recognised throughout Europe. There are just over three-hundred breeding mares in Czechia now – and each of them has a story to tell. The memory of a time when horses were assessed on their hearts, not show standards.
This story lives on, on a farm in the Giant Mountains, but also with the Waisser family, to name one example. This is where Huculs find their home. Not just pastures and care, but human hearts that understand. And maybe that’s why they say that once a Hucul enters your life… You’ll never want to let go of them.
Facts about the Hucul horse
•
Origin: Carpathian Mountains (Czech Republic, Slovakia, Ukraine, Poland, Romania).
•
History: First written records date back to the 17th century. The Czech studbook has existed since 1982. Today, the breed is classified as endangered and protected by FAO.
•
Temperament: Calm, resilient, enduring, and a loyal companion.
•
Height: Approximately 134–144 cm at the withers.
•
Use: Recreational riding and trekking, hobby sports, hippotherapy, light carriage and draft work.
•
Breeders: Represented by the Hucul Horse
Breeders’ Association (ACHHK) in the Czech Republic, and internationally by HIF.
•
Care: Minimal demands on feeding and housing, extremely healthy and long-lived breed.
