Horse breeding becomes Croatia’s livestock star

Horse breeders from all over Croatia gathered in Gudovac at the 10th Horse Breeders' Conference, where experts and breeders highlighted key challenges and proposed directions for the development of the only domestic livestock sector that is continuously growing, CE Report quotes HINA.

“Horse breeding is one of the livestock sectors that has been continuously growing. Currently, we have approximately 43,000 animals registered in the equine register,” said Krunoslav Karalić, acting director of the Croatian Agency for Agriculture and Food (HAPIH). “There is strong export demand, especially when it comes to cold-blooded horse breeds.”

“In Croatia, we have a large number of breeds, over 100 registered. Our Posavina horses and Lipizzaners make up three-quarters of the total population. Their numbers are increasing year after year. Regarding cold-blooded breeding, the allocation and management of land, particularly in hilly and mountainous areas, has significantly contributed,” said Mato Čačić of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.

The conference was organised by HAPIH and the Croatian Association of Gidran Horse Breeders under the ministry's auspices.