A Konik trio at a gallop
across the meadows of Gut Aiderbichl
From the perspective of Gut Aiderbichl
(written by Gisela Pschenitschnig)
A few weeks ago, special horses moved into the Gut Aiderbichl meeting farm 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.
Unfortunately, the horse dealer could not 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 distribution area extended from the Urals westwards across the Russian steppe landscapes to Central and Western Europe, where the horses also inhabited forest areas. Descriptive features include a large head, pointed ears, a gray body coat and a curly or shaggy mane.
Typical of today's Konik is the lush, dense fall mane and the short back with pronounced rib curvature and also the deeper tail set. The colors range from mouse-grey in various shades from light to medium to dark. In the sportier type of Konik, there are also gray, brown, black dun and gray dun with wild markings in the form of an eel line or zebra stripes in the pastern area.
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 loyal riding horse for children and young people. They are extremely enduring and are particularly suitable for long-distance and trail riding.
Koniks are people-oriented 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 behavior in the herd and transfer this to humans. Isn't that great? How clever these animals are.
Vigilance in the great outdoors is important. Willow, Eleonore and Freya are becoming more and more accustomed 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
The animal keepers have the feeling that Eleonore is trying to say "My God, a human - does that have to happen now?". Eleonore is skeptical 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, just as we know them from human children.
The Koniks are in a good mood ...
Nothing can separate Eleonore, Willow and Freya, 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 keepers. Eleonore is cautious, but is also becoming more and more fond of the caressing hands of humans.
Until you have loved an animal, a part of your soul is asleep.
- Immanuel Kant
It's a good thing Eleonore, Willow and Freya have been given a second chance to live. There is a lot to do - look and help. Yours sincerely, Gisela.
