HORSE-RIDER IMAGE ON THE COINS OF THE EASTERN CELTS AND THE CULT OF CELTIC WAR GODDESS

The article deals with the iconography of the Celtic coins which come from the South-Eastern Europe. Main attention is paid to the coins found in the Trans-Carpathian region of Ukraine. The aim of this article is to shed light on symbolism of the Celtic coins, in particular on a horse-rider figure on the reverse of these coins. Research methodology is based on the structuralist approach. The scientific novelty. The author shows how the imagery of the coins was connected to the Celtic religious beliefs and cults. The Celtic issues from the Trans-Carpathian region were derived chiefly from the coins of Philip II and Audoleon. A horse-rider image is present on almost all of the Celtic coins from the Trans-Carpathian area and nearby regions. While on most of coins the rider’s figure is highly schematized, some of them contain a detailed image of a female figure. There is no reason to suggest that the Celtic women used to lead their communities or were widely involved in the warfare as military leaders or individual fighters. At the same time, their significance in the religious and ideological spheres of warfare was great. One can assume that the horse-rider depicted on the Celtic coins was considered rather as an image of deity associated with war, fertility and horse-breeding. It is highly probable that this deity in fact was Epona or other related goddess. The coins were widely used in both trade and ritual practices. In particular, the Classical sources mention the Celtic ritual of devotion of coins to the goddess of hunting. The findings of coins with chop-marks, similar to those found in the Gallic and Gallo-Roman sanctuaries, should be mentioned in this context as well.

FROM THE HISTORY OF HORSEBREEDING AT ABAZINS OF THE NORTHERN CAUCASUS

The aquatic part of this article provides a brief historical information about the Abaza people (Abaza, Abkhaz, Ubykh), who have inhabited the territory of the North-West and South Caucasus since ancient times. The main part of the article examines the history of horse breeding of the Abaza people, starting from ancient times. In the final part, the modern stage of development of the Abaza horse breeding is described

Influence of the type of higher nervous activity on milk yield and the productive longevity of mares

The presented work is the result of studies of the influence of the type of higher nervous activity on the dairy productivity of mares of the Russian heavy draft horse breed on stationary koumiss farms. To determine the types of higher nervous activity, a motor-food technique developed by the All-Russian Research Institute of Horse Breeding was used. The milk yield was counted at animals for the first lactation, for the highest lactation, on average for one lactation and a lifelong milk yield of mares. The milk yield on average for lactation is almost the same in mares with a strong balanced mobile type and with a strong unbalanced type of higher nervous activity. Animals of a weak type and a strong balanced inert type of higher nervous activity lag behind them in this indicator by 11-13%. Horses with a strong balanced mobile type, a strong unbalanced type and a weak type of higher nervous activity are most suitable for the duration of economic use and lifelong milk production. The mares with a strong balanced inert type of higher nervous activity are the least productive in terms of duration of economic use and lifelong milk yield on koumiss farms.

Formation of meat productivity of Kazakh horses of the Adai offspring

Relevance. Herd horse breeding is the most ancient way of reproduction and maintenance of horses. The regularities of the growth and development of young animals largely depend on the genotype of the producers. Adai horses are bred in a herd way. Their well-being largely depends on natural and climatic conditions — the state of the weather, grass stand. The breeding zones of the Adai horse are the desert and semi-desert of the western region of Kazakhstan, characterized by a sharply continental climate.Methods. Experimental work was carried out at Taushyk LLP, Tupkaragan district, Mangistau region. The object of the study is pure-bred Kazakh horses of the Mangistau population and Adai offspring. According to scientific experience, two groups of 12 stallions were formed. Feeding qualities were assessed by the increase in live weight in young animals in the period from 24 to 30 months of age. Meat productivity was studied according to the methodology of the All-Russian Research Institute of Horse Breeding, in accordance with the technological instructions adopted in the meat industry.Results. It was found that the greatest increase in live weight in foals of Kazakh horses of the Adai offspring is observed from 3 days of age to 1 month and amounted to 42.9 kg with an average daily gain of 1530 g. For six months the increase in live weight was 84.1 kg, and average daily gain — 460 g. From 6 to 12 months of age the average daily gain in foals decreases to 126.9 g, due to the independent wintering of foals. From 18 to 24 months the minimum increase in live weight was recorded — 24.6 kg. From 24 to 30 months of age the average daily gains slightly increase — to 310 g. It has been established that the coefficient of increase in live weight in Kazakh horses in the conditions of the Mangyshlak Peninsula from birth to 24 months of age is 5.28–5.30, from 24 months. up to 30 months age — 0.51–0.52, from birth to 30 months of age — 8.54—8.56. It was found that the stallions of the Mangystau population exceeded their peers of the Adai offspring in terms of pre-slaughter live weight by 3.8 kg. In terms of slaughter yield stallions of the Adai offspring were inferior to their peers of the Mangistau population by 0.4%. The highest fat content in the meat of both groups is observed in the off-grade cut (kazy + sting) — from 16.0% to 16.4%. Comparatively little fat was contained in grade II meat — from 3.8% to 4.3% and grade III — from 2.3% to 2.7%.

Al-Khamsa: The Prophet’s Mares - Or Were They Stallions?

Arab(ian) horse enthusiasts perpetuate an origin legend for the breed that counts five foundational mares in relation to Islamic Prophet Muhammad. Challenging both the concept of a gender preference for mares among Bedouin and/or Arab people in the early Islamic empire as well as the popular historiography of the Arab horse as a Bedouin breed promoted by Islam and in particular its prophet, this paper contextualises Al-Khamsa (the five) as evidence of matrilineal horse breeding strategy by surveying premodern Arabic material on horses.

Diversity In Intestinal Microorganisms Contributes To The Bodysize Difference In Chinese Horses And Ponies

Background: Intestinal microbiota communities can reflect the digestion and metabolism of the host, as well as the appearance of the host. In China, there are various excellent horse and pony breeds with rich diversity in wither height. However, little is known about the community structure of the intestinal microbiota in horses, let alone the profound effects it causes. Results: Here in, we generated 16S rRNA sequences of intestinal microorganisms from 118 Chinese horses including Guanzhong horse, Debao pony, and Ningqiang pony. We found that the intestinal microbiota of horses is full of diversity, and Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, and Spirochaetes, which is consistent with the special structure of the horse digestive tract. Interestingly, the abundance of Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes at the phylum level, showed a strong correlation with horse height, with R values of 0.82 and -0.86 respectively. Moreover, at the genus level, Coprococcus, Streptococcus, Treponema, and Prevotella demonstrated higher significance in terms of height, the prediction of PICRUSt2 function and multiple analyses of the metabolic pathways, and additionally, the metabolic pathways of energy intake and utilization were significantly enriched in horses relative to ponies (P<0.01). Notably, flora colonization in mouse littermates contributed to their broad development compared to the control group. Conclusions: Compared with ponies, the intestinal microbiota enabled better cellulose decomposition and energy uptake in horses; Thus horses could get more energy from food to meet their higher demand for larger body development than ponies. Therefore, our study helps to understand the gut microbiota patterns across equine breeds, which has the potential to advance approaches aimed at personalized microbial modifications in horse breeding.

Constitutional types of horses and resources for their homeopathic correction

Selective breeding is in vogue since centuries to improve horse’ breed. It aims at production of horses with special performance and bodily characteristics. It is a complex, costly and time-consuming occupation. But the characteristics of horses depends upon market demands. Many a times a horse, which possesses planned kineto, behavior, exterior characteristics, is not in demand anymore. For many years we performed horse “homeopathic correction” studies at ‘Griffon’ Stud Farm and Horse Club on the basis of A.A. Komissarenko’s theoretical developments. We have established that not only physical characteristics of studs are inherited, but also their psychic traits, which fit into a certain constitutional type of the stud. Among such different types it is possible to identify both harmonious and disharmonious type of animals. It has been established the homeopathic remedy regimen depends on the age of an animal. In our experience, efficient homeopathic correction should be performed once in three months during the entire life-time of a horse, to maintain their bodily and psychic characters. It is advisable to differentiate the constitutional characteristics of growing horses before fence training, as it may make it easier for the horse to grow and mature. In this case young horses attain good standard, have good height and psychic and physical characteristics. At the farm we performed homeopathic correction of pregnant animals once in the eight month of pregnancy that is at three months before colt delivery. Four colts were born, which were rated as top grade on the zootechnic scale of All-Russia’s Horse-breeding Research Institute (VNIIKВ). The evaluation is based on the animal activity at different times, during the first three years of the life. In our observation, colts born after homeopathic correction in the pregnancy period present better exterior and behavioural characteristics than others in their ancestor line. The outcome of our research is the conclusion that in horse breeding it makes sense to have early homeopathic correction. It improves animal’s performance, the rapport between horses and men and ensures horse’s career success. Achievements in production of impeccable growing horses were highly appreciated by Trakehner Union in Russia, and the Griffon Stud Farm became a full-fledged member of the Union in 2015. Utilization of homeopathy resources allows advance of zootechnic industry, as well as prompt response to market demand; the earlier such work begins, the more efficient and cost-effective it becomes.

Influence of zeolite and zeolite-sapropel feed additives on the milk productivity of mares and the quality of kumiss under the conditions of Central Yakutia

One of the main branches of agriculture in the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) is productive horse breeding. In this regard, we can use the valuable raw materials that the horse gives due to its high adaptability to local conditions. The development of productive horse breeding in particular dairy horse breeding under the conditions of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) would allow providing the population with natural, dietary food and more efficient use of land resources. The purpose of the work is to study the effect of zeolite and zeolite-sapropel feed additives in the ration of mares of Megezhek breed on the milk productivity and quality of kumiss under the conditions of Central Yakutia. Two scientific and economic experiments have been carried out where the influence of zeolite from the Suntar deposit (experiment 1) and zeolite-sapropel feed additives (experiment 2) on the milk productivity and physiological parameters of mares of Megezhek breed has been studied. The optimal doses of the effect of zeolite and zeolite-sapropel feed additives on the profi tability of kumiss production have been determined. It has been found in the first scientific and economic experiment that when adding 0,4 g of zeolite per 1 kg of live weight to the daily ration of lactating mares the level of profi tability of milk production increased to 20,4 %, and when adding 0,5 g per 1 kg of live weight the profi tability index increased to 21,5 %, compared to 13,7 % in the control group. In the second scientific and economic experiment the infl uence of the zeolite-sapropel feed additive on the intensity of digestion and assimilation of nutrients in the mares’ rations has been determined. The analysis of the experimental data indicates a high economic efficiency of using zeolite-sapropel feed additive in the 2nd and 3rd experimental groups of mares, where the level of profi tability of production was equal to 27,34 and 32,33 %, respectively, compared to 16,09 % in the control group.

From the Eurasian Steppes to the Roman Circuses: A Review of Early Development of Horse Breeding and Management

The domestication of the horse began about 5500 years ago in the Eurasian steppes. In the following millennia horses spread across the ancient world, and their role in transportation and warfare affected every ancient culture. Ownership of horses became an indicator of wealth and social status. The importance of horses led to a growing interest in their breeding and management. Many phenotypic traits, such as height, behavior, and speed potential, have been proven to be a subject of selection; however, the details of ancient breeding practices remain mostly unknown. From the fourth millennium BP, through the Iron Age, many literature sources thoroughly describe horse training systems, as well as various aspects of husbandry, many of which are still in use today. The striking resemblance of ancient and modern equine practices leaves us wondering how much was accomplished through four thousand years of horse breeding.

Milk productivity of Yakut horses

The article presents a brief review of scientific research on the milk productivity of mares of the Yakut breed. One of the most valuable products of horse breeding in Yakutia is the milk of Yakut mares, which is characterized by a high content of milk sugar, rich in vitamin C, which is especially important for the production of koumiss. Milk of mares of the Yakut horse breed is a valuable raw material for processing. A brief review of research has shown that the mares of Bashkir, Kazakh and Kirghiz breeds, which have been milking since ancient times, have a good milk content among the horse breeds of the herd. A Mare of the Yakut horse breed gives an average of 4 – 5 liters per day, and a maximum of 6 – 8 liters of milk. According To M. F. Gabyshev's research, the average daily milk productivity of a Mare reaches 10–12 liters. A thorough study of milk production of mares of the Yakut breed held the T. V. Amosova. She found that for 6 months of lactation, the daily milk yield of mares of the Yakut breed averaged 9.9 liters, during this time they produce from 1124 to 1942 liters, an average of 1750 liters of milk. In studies A. I. Pavlova found that the native type mares of the Yakut breed of horses milk yield is 8.8 l per day and 1592 L. 6 months of lactation and in enlarged type – 9.2 and 1666 l; from MagicScore and 13.3 2393 and l, respectively. It was found that winter milk is inferior to summer milk in terms of protein, ash, phosphorus, calcium, and vitamin C, but it is higher in sugar content and has a high acidity. As a result, we came to the conclusion that it is necessary: 1. conduct breeding work to increase the milk productivity of mares of the Yakut horse breed, 2.develop and test a recipe for starter feed for weanling foals that is similar in composition to their mothers' milk.