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At the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, 54 Przewalski's horses were imported alive to Europe in five transports. Only twelve of them (6 ♂♂, 6 ♀♀) have bred. The earliest birth occurred in a mare at the age of five years and the oldest mare gave birth at the age of 17 years, always during the period from spring to autumn. The most fertile stallion was a father of ten foals and the most fertile mare gave birth to eight foals. Longevity was relatively high; three stallions reached the age over 20 years, the oldest one of 28 years. Cadavers of individuals imported from nature and registered in the pedigree-book are listed, they represent less than a half of all registered individuals officially imported to Europe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality of young stallions during the rearing period and to analyze the differences among several test rearing houses with various altitudes (up to 250, 250-300, 300-400, 400-500 and more than 500 meters above the sea level). In 227 stallions ending the rearing period in the years 2004 and 2005 the records from 5 foals´ assortment were processed (it means the growth comparison with the growth standard, results of exterior classification and results of movement mechanics classification). The statistically significant differences among the rearing houses with various altitudes were found out in growth classification (13,614++ to 27,679+++), in exterior classification (13,136++ to 20,281+++) and in movement mechanics classification (17,930++ to 26,526+++). The relation between in-rearing and end-rearing classification was higher for growth (up to 0,862+) than for exterior (up to 0,652+) and movement mechanics (up to 0,585+). It’s obvious, that the final foal’s movement mechanics and exterior classification can’t be faithfully estimated before the rearing finalization.

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