The role of the Muraközi horse and conservation options today

Szabó, Kitti and Kovács-Mesterházy, Zoltán and Pongrácz, László and Tőzsér, János (2025) The role of the Muraközi horse and conservation options today. DANUBIAN ANIMAL GENETIC RESOURCES, 10 (1). pp. 25-32. ISSN 2498-5910

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Abstract

The Muraközi (Murinsulaner) horse is a traditional Hungarian breed connected to the area called Muraköz. There was bustling trade in this area in the 18th century. This required horses with good trotting ability and high load-bearing capacity. The local smallholders owned 2-4 mares. These mares could be paired with a state or licensed private stallions. According to the description of the 1883 economic newspaper, Muraközi horses could be purchased in large amount at the fairs of Szentkereszt, Szentanna, Csáktornya, Perlak and Varsad during the autumn season. In the Muraköz region, horse breeding was the only noteworthy livestock breeding activity, which was so significant that it was considered the basis of the entire economic system. The farmers here insisted on the Nori-type horses, as they were excellently suited for both agricultural and yoke work. During the chaotic period after the World War I, the Muraköz was divided with the division of the country. The statistics of the Ministry of Agriculture in September 1945 states that 58 percent of the Hungarian horse population had been lost. The changes that came in the second half of the 20th century endangered our traditional breeds, including the Muraközi horse. At the same time, there was a necessity to save traditional breeds. Recognizing the traditional genetic values, the Directorate of the Őrség National Park finally took on the task. In 2003, the regeneration of the Muraközi began. The Muraközi horse has almost disappeared by now in Slovenia, Croatia and Hungary, and is already completely extinct in Austria. Today, a significant number of horses representing the breed can be found in Őriszentpéter, but fortunately, private breeders are once again starting to recognize the values of this breed.

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