A Konik trio at a gallop
across the meadows of Gut Aiderbichl
From the perspective of an Aiderbichler
(written by Gisela Pschenitschnig)
A few weeks ago, special horses moved into Gut Aiderbichl’s animal visitor centre in Henndorf – so-called Konik horses.
In terms of breeding, there are two types, namely the original, strong Konik, which is at home in the wild, and the more athletic Konik, which is particularly competitive and is used as a riding and pack horse.
The horse dealer was unfortunately unable to tell us exactly what Eleonore (3 years), Willow (1 year) and Freya (1 year) were used for.
What is so special about the Konik?
The Konik is descended from the extinct Tarpan. The tarpan was wiped out in the 18th and 19th centuries and is often described as a western form of the wild horses that were common in Eurasia. The range extended from the Ural westwards across the Russian steppe landscapes to Central and Western Europe, where the horses also inhabited forested areas. Descriptive features include a large head, pointed ears, a grey body coat and a curly or shaggy mane.
Typical for today’s Konik is the lush, dense fall mane and the short back with pronounced rib curvature and also the deeper tail set. The colours range from mouse grey in various shades from light to medium to dark. In the sportier Konik type, there are also grey, brown, black dun and grey dun with wild markings in the form of an eel line or zebra stripes around the pasterns.
The character of the Konik is calm and willing to work. The horse is people-friendly, reliable and generally not shy, even in the wild. The classic use of the Konik is as a draught horse, which can easily pull up to 500 kg. As a horse, however, it is also a faithful riding horse for children and young people. They are extremely enduring and are particularly suitable for endurance and trail riding.
Koniks are people orientated and friendly, alert and self-confident
The breed has wild ancestors, but is very friendly, sociable and, above all, strong-nerved in connection with humans. The horses learn social herd behaviour in the herd and transfer this to humans. Isn’t that great? How clever are these animals?
Watchfulness in the great outdoors is important. Willow, Eleonore and Freya are getting more and more used to their new surroundings and are very relaxed and self-confident towards the “big ones” in the herd of horses at the Schroffnergut, where our three Koniks are currently enjoying their lives.
Eleonore, the mysterious one, has "adopted" Willow and Fraya
With Eleonore, the keepers have the feeling that she is trying to say “My God, a human – does it have to be that now?”. Eleonore is sceptical and unfortunately we don’t know what she’s been up to. She comes from the Netherlands and is very mysterious. Why doesn’t she really trust people?
Willow and Freya, the two foals will be one year old in May 2024 and behave like it. They have obviously had no negative experiences, apart from being driven to the slaughterhouse for whatever reason. In any case, Eleonore has taken on the role of surrogate mother and is busy raising Willow and Freya all day long.
It is also interesting to compare our Konik foals with the Noriker foals Alfred, Herzog, Zafar, Mella, Nuria and Pia. How delicate the Konik foals are in appearance and how robust the Noriker foals are. But one thing is the same: they are all in a very cheeky, challenging phase of their lives, as we also know from human children.
The Koniks are in a good mood ...
Eleonore, Willow and Freya can’t be separated, they act as their own gang and nothing can separate them in the herd. They are happy horses and are able to develop wonderfully in the herd, sneaking more and more into the hearts of our animal carers. Eleonore is cautious, but is also increasingly fond of the caressing hands of humans.
Until you have loved an animal, a part of your soul is asleep.
– Immanuel Kant
Good that Eleonore,Willow and Freya have been given a second chance to live. There is a lot to do – look and help. Herzlichst, Ihre Gisela.
