The Hucul originated in the Carpathian Mountain range of Eastern Europe. The most famous breed is going back to the Habsburg Monarchy "Maria Theresia" (today Austria). Borders have changed many times throughout history along this mountain range. Therefore both Romania and Poland claim to be the country of origin for this breed (in times of the Habsburg Monarchy all of these countries formed one country). The most famous stud farm of Hucul is LUCZINA in Romania. It was founded in the year 1774 and nowadays they have about 500 Hucul horses.

Because of the political situation in Romania it is very difficult to get horses out of Romania, but our Hucul horses are of Romanian origin (Luczina). We are proud to breed Hucul horses in Austria, the country of the former Habsburg Monarchy. Equestrian Center owns about 20 Hucul mares and one Hucul stallion, Goral. Each year we sell several Hucul horses. Our goal is to increase the number of Huculs in Austria and to make them well known again.

The Hucul dates back to the thirteenth century and is believed to have descended from the crossing of the wild Tarpan with Mongolian horses. Migratory tribes, like the Mongols, introduced the horse to this region. The natural range of these little horses covers a great distance. Their habitat are the eastern Carpathians, called Huzulland. For hundreds of years Huculs have bred in the mountains under very difficult climatic conditions. Isolated from other horses, they became resistant and robust horses. Huculs are all-round leisure horses for riding and driving. Deriable traits of Hucul horses are the horse´s dependable personality, its uncomplicated and very good character, its unexcitable nature when confronted with inexperienced riders and its composure and imperturbability. Huculs are great family and therapeutic horses.

Breed Characteristics

The Hucul has a rectangular body shape with its length being 5 or 10 centimetres greater than its height at the withers about 140 cm. The croup is well developed; the chest is deep and broad; the head is expressive with large eyes and small lively ears. The neck is strong and muscular and the back is very strong. The hooves are small and hard and usually the Hucul does not require shoes. Bay, black, grullo and chestnut are the most common colors with a dorsal stripe and zebra stripes on the legs characteristic of the breed.
This small horse is very strong and resistant to illnesses and is capable of living outdoors year round, finding its own food. The legs are extremely strong without known ailments. The breed is very sure-footed and able to maintain good speed while trotting on sloping ground or over dangerous mountain trails.

The Hucul was used and bred by various peoples along the Carpathian Mountain range. As a result, differing types emerged and with the Hucul of Romania appearing quite differently from its cousins. Various types of Huculs have been developed throughout the Carpathian mountain region from a light saddle-pack type to a heavier draft type.

Several bloodlines were established by the foundation stallions -- Goral, Hroby, Ousor, Pietrousu and Prislop -- and the horses were carefully bred to preserve the purity of these bloodlines.

Do not hesitate to contact us at any time, if you have further questions.