Analysis of horse breeding and equestrian sports in the Republic of Croatia
Authors: Baban M. , Sakac M. , Korabi N. , Antunovic B. , Mijic P. , Ivankovic A. , Ramljak J. 
Published: November 2011

Horse breeding in the Republic of Croatia, before its entrance into European
Union, is in the transitional period. In the breeding sense, Croatian horse
breeding is set according to the model of European countries and is trying to
counteract with ?modern horse breeding countries?. Croatian Center for Horse
Breeding - Djakovo and Lipik State Stud Farms (CCHB), with the Central
register of equidae is, as the head national institution, responsible for
running and maintaining national central equidae database (49 registers of
horses and 27 registers of breeding types). Croatia has registered total of
21.796 equidae, from which 19.306 animals are horses. Registered horses
according to groups make the total proportion of 37% warmblood horses, 59%
coldblood horses and 4% ponies. Horse breeders are organized in breeders
associations, which form federations of associations referring to separate
horse breeds. Currently in Croatia there are four federations of breeders
associations (with 43 associations and 11 private stud farms). Those verified
breeding organizations are conducting independently breeding programs and
fully maintain breeding and selection obligations for horse breeds for which
they have approval of the Croatian Ministry. Native breeds in Croatia are
Croatian Coldblood, Croatian Posavac and Medjimurje horse (Murinsulaner),
while Lipizzan horse is considered as protected breed. Development of horse
breeding is considerably supported with national subsidies. Internationally
verified breeds which are bred in Croatia are Lipizzan horse, Pure Arabian
horses, Thoroughbred, Haflinger and Gidran horses. The horse breeding in
Croatia is developing in four different directions. Ecological breeding
implies native horse breeds and is spread on the areas of protected nature
resorts in Croatia. Croatians are through their history connected to horse
breeding, which is even today irreplaceable in traditional cultural
manifestations (Djakovacki vezovi, Vinkovacke jeseni, Sinjska alka, etc.),
various horse shows and fairs and also in more ?modern? ways through
recreation and entertainment. The third direction of development of horse
breeding in Croatia is therapeutic riding, which includes 26 associations,
over one hundred horses and over one thousand users organized under the
Therapeutic Riding Association of Croatia. Sports horse breeding represents
fourth direction in Croatian horse breeding. It is formed by four
federations: Croatian Trotting Federation (trotting), Croatian Gallop
Federation (gallop sport) and Croatian Equestrian Federation (endurance,
dressage, military, show jumping, driving). Croatian Equestrian Federation
includes 49 equestrian clubs. In the last four years between 455 and 582
competitors and between 495 and 581 horses (for show jumping 45%, dressage
31%, endurance 19%, driving 5% and military) were licensed annually. Croatia
achieved noticeable results on the international scene in driving sports and
in Paralympics. In all mentioned directions of Croatian horse breeding, the
tendency should be directed to achieving higher breeding standards
(nutrition, stabling, transport, training) and more rational using of horses.
Such breeding and using of horses will lead to top bred horses and successful
sport horses. This implies synchronized work through long period of time,
respecting institutional and breeding rules.