Tori

An all purpose breed of horse, the Tori was developed in Estonia between 1890 and 1950, from the crossing of Estonian mares with halfbred, European stallions.  The development of the breed relied heavily on a horse by the name of Hetman, and his sons.  During the 1930's, the horses began showing signs of inbreeding depression however, which caused a deterioration of performance.  In order to overcome the inbreeding depression, a cross was done with Breton Post horse stallions. 

As the need rose for horses with skills in both utility and sporting, there was a limited breeding by crossing Tori horses with Trakehnen and Hanoverian.  The modern type of Tori was the result of this crossing.

The breed is clearly a harness type with a very solid build.  Their necks are medium length, and their withers are of average height.  They stand about 162 cm at the withers and are most often chesnut, reddish-bay and bay colored.  Their performance is terrific in draft and pull, as well as draft endurance.  They have high fertility- at about 86 foals per 100 mares.

The population is very rare.