" Due to versatile use over the centuries Malpolski is a very balanced horse, with good angulation enabling activities like running, jumping, pulling, dressage and cross country. Unlike many other breeds, it was not bred for one singular function, which often deforms proportions of some point of the horse. Returning a lot of genes of wild ancestors of the area (konik polski, tarpam), perhaps not any more in the looks, but in abilities to work hard and devotedly without any problems and high expectations. Malopolski has good hooves, not too big, but strong and springy, sometimes used without horseshoes. In the area of Western Ukraine, similar horses were seen pulling heavy carts on asphalt, without horseshoes, happily. It is a lean horse, with good muscle appearing after even light training, slim, but strong legs, long, elegant neck, but not exaggerated head, intelligent eye, very good shoulders and back, with noticeable withers. Hind legs give power and its angulation allows demanding exercise. Deep chest with well filled in ribcage supply enough oxygen for long exercise. Movement is effortlessly harmonious, with the expression of power and not exaggerated. With training, the reach of legs is long and the “cutting the daisies” carriage of the hooves. Nothing is wasted in movement, legs set in good distance, the proportions of the horse slightly longer than taller. Coat very shiny in the summer and short. Some have a golden sheen, resembling to a degree, old addition of turkomen horses. Mane and tail profound, but elegant. Malopolski often resembles old type of Arabian horse, when it was a warrior, with a lot simpler and natural head, often now seen in Elsing offsprings in Malopolski Horse with some character of Kuhaillan Arabians. Temperament is intelligent and vivid, but Malopolski has a calm delicate character and sheer strength should not be used in its training, as he wants to be accepted and loved and to please the owner. Malopolski can notice a lot and fast and often takes a rider out of trouble, before asked for it. It makes him a very good cross country mount. Today Breed Standard expects the height 158-168cm and the stallions in its lower range are not promoted. This is perhaps a pity, as the jumping world is slowly evolving towards a smaller, more athletic and “bendy” mount, who can use all his power for performance, rather than carry his large heavy body upright. The size also matters in injury rates, the lighter horse is safer here. Also the most successful winners in the world - English thoroughbreds of say Dubai Sheik Mohammed in Shadwell stud are not too large and very proportionally built. The famous Red Rum, Irish never beaten runner, was not large and very “normally” proportioned too. Any excess in breeding is short lived. Moving too far from the decision of the naturally developing world, projects frequent problems, Malopolski as a local Eastern European breed is a reserve of a perfect balance of the genes to produce an excellent offspring in his or other related breeds and is often imported, mainly to Western Europe for such inclusions - mostly to Germany, Belgium and Holland. The colour is mostly bay, also chestnut, black, white, sometimes grey, paint and appaloosa colour too. They are still used in Poland in the countryside, not only for sport. One can admire them in traditional carriages in the mountains, Zakopane and Krakow, sleigh in the winter for the tourists and in the deep countryside. Smallholding farmers may use them for field work, especially on the steep slopes and while one could carry most of the things in a truck, horses are still used, perhaps with a sentiment and natural need to live with one in Poland. It is a wonderful image from the past, to visit a rural market on a trading day in Poland.

This is an extract from a letter placed in 'Publications' on this website, written in 2007 by highly regarded Malopolski Horse breed specialist, former director and breeder in Walewice Stud www.walewice.pl, Mr Jerzy Pietraszewski:

The Warmblood Horse, which has retained the most of characteristics of Polish native horse and was exposed to the smallest foreign influence and poses many good characteristics of oriental horse is present today in south-east district of Poland, called Malopolska. Recently these horses are named Malopolski Horse. Thanks to the fact that breeders in Malopolska are continuing the ancient tradition of national type in breeding, although relaying also on Orientals, Anglo-Arabs, and English Thoroughbreds -Malopolski Horse has retained the characteristics of his Polish ancestors.............In 2005 the countries of European Union have established the program protecting the genes of Malopolski Horse breed, choosing 30 mares of these breed in Walewice Stud........Western European horses were brought up historically in very different conditions....... Malopolski horse was accepted by EU as a Polish breed. The mares chosen in Walewice are representing the right type and characteristics of Malopolski Horse breed. They have oriental type, good health, correct construction and are well developed. They have Malopolski Horses pedigrees, but can have foreign horses between ancestors. However on the condition, that it is not more than 2 ancestors up to 3rd generation back. Also, at the same time, purebred Arabians, not more than 4 up to 3rd generation back . The aim of the protection of Malopolski Horse breed is the retention of genotype of Malopolski Horse with Angloarab inclusion for breeding with other Malopolski in the country. Effectively,their standard states, that Malopolski horses will be riding horses, also sport horses, especially eventers and carriage horses. Malopolski Horses should be very fertile, long lived, immune against infections, have good food efficiency, have stamina and predisposition for prolonged work in difficult terrain."

It is possible to go to the website www.bazakoni.pl and do a search of the pedigree of any Malopolski Horse registered. You do this by clicking on the Search link on the left hand side of the page and typing in the name of the horse. Then, any more information you may have would distinguish that horse from others, with similar names.This website is provided in both Polish and English.