About the Breed

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Originating in Russia, the breed was first developed for traversing the deep snow of the mountains. Their exact origin is rather foggy, but they very quickly filled a niche for rural families, who needed a means of reliable transportation that would not be hindered by the deep snow or harsh temperatures. The Loshenka, with its dense coat, confident gait, and steady temperament, was easily able to fill this role.

Many of these rural communities became intensely focused on the breed. They became an integral part of these areas, serving as reliable transportation to faraway towns, steady hunting mounts, trustworthy teachers of young riders, and more. They were beloved by those that were lucky enough to have them around, and unmatched in loyalty and grit.

The Loshenka quickly became an honored part of these communities, and despite their vague origins, a clearer set of standards for the breed slowly began to establish itself. 

Over decades of selective breeding, their coats became soft and dense, more able to keep the snow out and keep their temperature regulated in any weather. Their tails were a more aesthetic-based choice, though their soft and silky texture assisted in keeping snow from clumping and weighing them down. This texture, while advantageous for their tails, proved less convenient for their manes - strands were easily picked up by the wind, impacting rider visibility and becoming tangled, and so their manes were often cut or shaved to avoid this.

As generations passed, they were bred selectively for thicker tails and finer manes, until eventually, they began to shed their manes completely. Foals would be born with the usual fluff, but would shed their manes as yearlings, never to regrow. Rarely, a horse would fail to shed their mane out at all, instead growing an even thicker and fluffier coat to accompany it (a trait later dubbed "Wulf"). Within the breed, there seemed to be no shortage of peculiarities. Though the village folk cared little about anything but the practicality of a tail held out and aloft, those interested in the breed later on would come to find out that their tails had in fact developed additional vertebrae to support this trait somewhere along the line.

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The upper class began to take notice of the breed later in their development. While rural travelers were interested in the Loshenka mostly for practical purposes, there was no denying the aesthetic advantages. The Loshenka was a flashy, unique breed with an alertness that gave it an even more desirable presence. Soon, the wealthy began purchasing Loshenkas for themselves, leading to further development of the core features of the breed: soft and dense coats, a straight or convex profile, and a tail that cascaded over an especially long tailbone. The horses excelled in the show ring, not only in handler-based competitions that showcased their movement, but in ridden competitions as well.

With this interest in appearance came new anomalies within the breed, some that bred true and others that seemed to occur randomly in individuals. One highly desired mutation came to be known as "Rapunzel," creating a dramatically extended tail that could reach the length of the horse's entire body. While largely impractical in its classic uses, the mutation was a stunner in the show ring, and before long it was among the most sought-after traits in the breed. In recent decades, the breed has skyrocketed in popularity, spreading quickly across the equestrian community at large.

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In terms of personality, the ideal Loshenka is a loyal and steadfast partner. They are very curious and attentive, eager to follow their humans even when left on a loose lead or no lead at all. It takes them a bit to adjust and build trust in a newcomer, but once they've decided a particular handler is a safe bet, they're all in. Given their history within rural family communities, Loshenkas are known for being trustworthy teachers for young children and new riders as well.

​Combined with flashy movement, it is easy to assume that the Loshenka may have a demeanor similar to breeds such as the Arabian, but this is not the case. They can be a bit clownish and and rambunctious, but are very rarely described as difficult to handle. At most, they can get a little pushy with testing boundaries when something winds them up, but in the vast majority of cases they display a very steady and willing demeanor, especially with consistent training. They do have an exceptional memory for mistreatment, however, and hold grudges like no other. Training them with aversive methods is unlikely to yield anything but negative results, and they are unafraid to defend themselves when pushed over their limit.

​​Overall, the breed is known for being kind and trustworthy. Those who know and cherish the breed maintain that there is very little that a Loshenka cannot do. So far, the theory appears to hold true.

• Height Range: 15-18hh
• Average Build: Lanky & sporty; a sturdy Warmblood type with some areas of Baroque influence
• Disciplines/Usage: Primarily used for English disciplines, but quick to pick up most anything with steady training
• Colors & Patterns: All coat colors, markings, and anomalies found in the breed are listed on this page

The Loshenka carries itself with a distinct upright and alert posture, often appearing somewhat restless when not in motion. They are observant and bright-eyed without being nervous or spooky, and they have a wide range of motion and natural springiness to their gaits. They excel primarily in Halter/Liberty, Endurance, Dressage, and other English disciplines, but are quick learners and can adapt to other disciplines fairly well.

Physical attributes of the Loshenka include a long head with a straight or slightly roman profile, large expressive eyes, and well-proportioned ears. The neck is notably thick, never ewe-necked, and features a pleasing curve to the crest rather than being a straight vertical line. The back is relatively short, though not overly so, and the waist should be tucked to create a slender silhouette. The legs appear slightly long in proportion to the body and should be clean and sturdy, with no feathering at the fetlock (unless they have the Wulf oddity!). The overall impression is one of substantial yet lanky build.

At first glance, one may be tempted to compare the Loshenka to an Akhal Teke due to its lack of mane - however, generally speaking, the breed does not share many attributes with the Teke. It is more similar to a thicker warmblood type, with some aspects of Baroque influence, and more substance overall (especially in the neck area). The images to the right may help visualize the breed, though none are 100% exact!

KEY TRAIT #1: Mane

Loshenka foals are born with standard manes, which they shed out around the age of one year. Shedding is progressive over the course of a week to a month, often coming out in clumps and gradually thinning until it has disappeared completely. The coat will remain parted along the crest, but will not leave a noticeable seam or gap. Whorls along the crest are not uncommon, and some consider them a good omen depending on placement and direction.

This characteristic, believed to have originated from a genetic anomaly, poses no other negative effects. This feature was selectively bred for its practical benefits, notably eliminating the risk of tangled or wet manes, enhancing rider visibility, and ensuring coat insulation is not hindered by thick/heavy mane coverage. In the show ring, this distinctive trait sets the breed apart, complementing its sleek appearance and highlighting the neck's presentation.

KEY TRAIT #2: Coat

The Loshenka boasts a plush and dense coat akin to the texture of a rex rabbit's fur, offering insulation against harsh temperatures by trapping air close to the skin and wicking away moisture and snow. Predictably, they are best suited to cold climates due to their coat type, but they can also adapt surprisingly well to the heat for the same reason. The winter months prompt an increase in coat density to keep heat trapped, but will not impact length noticeably. Conversely, summer time and generally hot climates will cause the coat to decrease in density to promote airflow. Year-round, the coat will be shortest on the face and legs.

​Additional coat-related facts:

• Saddles must be carefully fitted to prevent slipping, as the coat offers less traction.

• Loshenka coats also often display an elevated sheen, although this attribute varies between individuals.

• Wulf Loshenkas may struggle to regulate temperature as effectively as their non-Wulf counterparts, and should be monitored closely in the heat especially. For all Loshenkas, blanketing is advised against, as this will also negatively impact temperature regulation.

• When bathing, soaps and shampoos should be used in moderation to avoid stripping the coat of natural oils. Many owners opt to use water only for most washes. Loshenka-specific products have hit the market in some regions, but their effectiveness remains controversial.

• Clipping the coat is extremely ill-advised, and is detrimental to the horse, similarly to shaving double-coated dogs. Selectively trimming or thinning with scissors is fine, but for the most part, the coat should be allowed to self-moderate. It will not grow past a certain length without the presence of Wulf. In the latter case, trimming is encouraged, but clipping/shaving will only exacerbate the issues and present further complications.

KEY TRAIT #3: Tail

The tailbone is unnaturally long due to additional vertebrae and musculature, which also cause their posture and range of motion to be altered. The caudal vertebrae (tailbone bones™) are more numerous in this breed than in real-life horses, as well as being a bit larger, particularly in Rapunzels. This, combined with modified postural muscles, causes the Loshenka's tail to be held away from the body, with a gentle downward curve in the middle.

The muscles found along the top of the tail allow for minute adjustments that change the posture of the tail. Another way to think of this is as a string that runs through the tail - tightening it causes the tail to raise and curve, while loosening it causes the tail to lower and extend. Additional muscles at the base and sides allow for broader movement, like swishing, flagging, balancing, etc. No matter the position, the tail should maintain a noticeable curve and be held away from the body. The physical anatomy of the tail itself does not allow it to hang straight down like a normal horse's tail would.

The hair of a Loshenka tail is wavy or curly, finer than usual horse hair, and exceptionally soft. It grows down the length of the tailbone, not just sprouting from the dock, which helps to exaggerate the length and shape of the tail. Despite its airy texture, it is surprisingly strong and can be used reliably for textiles when many strands are combined. Traditionally, communities have used the tail hair of treasured horses for keepsakes and fabrics to preserve their memory after passing.

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