Tersk breeding stud farm

Tersky stud farm is a world-famous breeding farm located near Mineralnye Vody, at the foot of Serpent Mountain. For more than 125 years Arabian horses have been raised here, which are used in the world horse breeding and in the selection of new breeds. The stud farm was founded by Count Sergey Alexandrovich Stroganov. And it got its name from the Tersky Cossack army located in the North Caucasus.

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Video: Tersk Horse Breeding

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Highlights

After the Civil War, the farm was ruined, and all the efforts of the specialists working here were focused on breeding a new breed of horses. To obtain it they used Arabian, Streltsy, Kabardinian, Karachai and Don horses. As a result, at the Tersk stud farm they raised extraordinary horses, perfectly adapted to dressage and work in the circus arena. They inherited the Arabs’ appearance and movement, had light, smooth movements, strong physique and amazing ability to train. The Tersk breed created in the North Caucasus was officially recognized in 1948. Nowadays, the kind and obedient horses are very much in demand in children’s equestrian sports and hippotherapy groups.

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Tersky stud farm is widely known among horse breeders and breeders of different countries. Since 1970 international auctions have been held here, where elite horses are sold and bought.

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Excursions to the village of Novotersky are very popular with guests of the Caucasian Mineral Waters. At the stud farm come to see the beautiful horses and learn about the history of horse breeding in Russia. You can come to the Tersky stud farm on your own or as part of organized excursion tours. At the end of August the Tersk Horse Breeding Farm holds an open day, when visitors are allowed into the territory free of charge. Tourists can watch a colorful broodmare, learn about the history of the Tersk breed, and ride horses.

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History of the Tersk Horse Breeding Farm

In the late 19th century, wealthy noblemen from European countries began to travel to Arab countries – Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Syria. English traveler Anne Blunt published a book, telling in it about her travels, and then together with her husband founded a horse farm “Karabbet Park” in their homeland. Inspired by her example, Count Sergei Alexandrovich Stroganov, Prince Alexander Grigorievich Shcherbatov and his wife traveled to Arabia. Later, the count wrote two books and told in them about the adventures that fell to their share during the long journey by the Bedouins.

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Having seen the real Arabian stallions, Stroganoff caught fire with the idea of organizing a Russian breeding plant for this breed of horses. It should be noted that attempts to import Arabian horses into the country had been made earlier, but all of them were unsuccessful. Unable to withstand the cold climate of the Middle Zone, the southern horses began to get sick and died. Stroganov understood that the stud farm should be built where it would be easier to acclimatize Arabian horses, and so he chose the Caucasian foothills.

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Stroganov already had a lot of experience in horse breeding. At his estate in Porhov, in the Pskov region, the count had a factory where special horses were bred and used during winter hunting. In Stroganov’s opinion, purebred Arabian racehorses could help improve the stock at his Pskov breeding farm.

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The new breeding farm began with nine mares and two stallions, which the Count brought from Arabia. At first the business developed successfully, and by the beginning of the last century there were about a hundred active mares in the farm. However, in 1905 the Count moved to Nice and stopped dealing with his Russian estates and factories. With the outbreak of World War I, the horse farm fell into disrepair, and four years later only a few buildings remained of the farm.

In the 1920s, the cavalry of the young country of the Soviets was supervised by S. M. Budenny. On his initiative, several breeding farms were established in Russia. In 1921 Budenny signed a decree on the foundation of the Tersk horse breeding plant. Its task was to breed elite horses for officers of the Red Army.

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Over the following years, specialists bred the Tersk breed of horses. These horses became in demand in circus troupes, at equestrian competitions and in the army. It is noteworthy that on a horse of the Tera breed Marshal G. K. Zhukov sat during the behavior of the Victory Parade, which took place in June 1945.

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What can be seen in Novoterskoye today

The Tersky stud farm has its own stars. Many horses bred here became winners and champions of various domestic and international competitions, and a monument to the stallion Aswan decorates the territory of the plant.

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For tourists in the arena they hold a brood of horses, which lasts 1 hour and 15 minutes. During the performance, beautiful horses one after another run out in front of the audience, and their stature, grace and excellent dressage cause genuine delight of the public. Tourists are allowed to bring treats – refined sugar, apples and carrots, but they are asked not to feed the horses themselves. This is always done by the zookeeper.

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After the broodmare, guests can take pictures next to the horses and ride a horse. There is also a small souvenir store at the Tersk Horse Farm.

How to get there

Tersky Horse Farm is located in the village of Novotersky, on Shkolnaya Street, 2. From the railway station in the town of Mineralnye Vody to the enterprise – 11.6 km. You can get to the stud farm by cab or route number 101, which runs from 5.40 to 20.20 with an interval of 15-30 minutes.

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