Međimurje Horse Stud, Žabnik

Međimurje Horse Stud (Croatian: Ergela međimurskog konja) is a small stud farm of about 20 acres in the northern part of Međimurje County, Croatia. It is located at the village of Žabnik in the Sveti Martin na Muri municipality, on a local common pasture (gmajna) close to the marshes of the Mura River. The stud was established in 2015 to help preserve and revitalize the Međimurje horse, a Croatian medium-heavy draught horse breed that is endangered, with a small remaining population in its original Croatian area and larger populations north of the Mur in southwestern Hungary and in eastern Slovenia. The farm is owned and operated by Međimurska priroda (Međimurje Nature), the public institution for nature protection in Međimurje County. The establishment was financially supported by the IPA funding mechanism of the European Union within transnational cooperation, specifically the Hungary–Croatia IPA project "Tri rijeke = Jedan cilj" (Three Rivers = One Goal), whose aim was habitat revitalization, in this case of floodplain pasture. After the establishing and building activities, the stud acquired eight mares from private horse breeders to create an initial breeding fund. The stud opening ceremony took place on 30 November 2015. Because of the coming winter, it was opened to the public only the following spring, on Sunday, 1 May 2016, and was included in tourist routes in Međimurje County. The site has a newly built stable and other facilities necessary for horses, such as a well and a food depot. The pasture covers about 8 hectares and is described as the largest revitalization of a natural pasture in Međimurje through the return of an indigenous breed. The stud keeps a small herd of mares; in late 2019 the herd included eight mares named Suzy starija, Sana, Rička, Zeka, Samba, Sunja, Senka and Suzy mlađa, which had been at the stud for four years. The Međimurje horse on free pasture on the gmajna between Žabnik and Vrhovljan in the Sveti Martin na Muri municipality has become an increasingly strong attraction for visitors and journalists. The stud participates in events such as the Croatian Nature Protection Day on 22 May, when it opens its gates to the public, offering access to the mares and guided visits.

Međimurje Horse Stud (Croatian: Ergela međimurskog konja) is a small stud farm comprising about 20 acres in the northern part of Međimurje County, Croatia. It is located at the Žabnik village in the Sveti Martin na Muri municipality, on a local common pasture (gmajna) close to the marshes of the Mura River. The stud was established in 2015 to help preserve and revitalize the Međimurje horse, a Croatian medium-heavy draught horse breed that is endangered today, with a remaining small population in its original area in Croatia and a larger one on the north side of the Mur river in southwestern Hungary, as well as in eastern Slovenia. The establishment of the stud was financially supported by the IPA funding mechanism of the European Union within transnational cooperation. The project was the Hungary–Croatia IPA project "Tri rijeke = Jedan cilj" (Three Rivers = One Goal), whose aim was the revitalization of habitats, in this concrete case of floodplain pasture. The pasture covers about 8 hectares and is described as the largest revitalization of a natural pasture in Međimurje through the return of an indigenous or native breed to the area. The establisher and owner of the stud is Međimurska priroda (Međimurje Nature), a public institution in charge of environmental protection, control, development and promotion. Međimurje Nature – Public Institution for Nature Protection was established in 2005 by Međimurje County based on the Nature Protection Act. The institution pursues activities of protection, maintenance and promotion of protected areas and NATURA 2000 sites in Međimurje County, and it supervises the implementation of nature protection measures in protected areas of the county. After finishing the establishing and building activities, the stud redeemed eight mares from private horse breeders to create an initial breeding fund of animals. The stud opening ceremony took place on 30 November 2015. Because of the upcoming winter, it was open to the public only the next spring—on Sunday, 1 May 2016—and was included in tourist routes in Međimurje County. There is a newly built stable on the farm, with other facilities necessary for horses, such as a well and a food depot. By late November 2019, four years had passed since the Međimurje horses were released onto the gmajna belonging to the settlements of Žabnik and Vrhovljan in the Sveti Martin na Muri municipality. At that time the herd included eight mares named Suzy starija, Sana, Rička, Zeka, Samba, Sunja, Senka and Suzy mlađa, which had had their address at the stud for four years. The Međimurje horse on free pasture on the gmajna between Žabnik and Vrhovljan has become an increasingly strong attraction for visitors and for journalists who come to film these interesting animals. The stud also participates in public events. For the Croatian Nature Protection Day, marked on 22 May, Međimurje Nature opens the gates of the Međimurje Horse Stud in Žabnik; on Sunday, 20 May, between 14:00 and 19:00, the stud was open to all interested in this native breed of endangered numbers, offering access to the mares themselves and other activities.

• 2019

  By late November 2019, four years had passed since the Međimurje horses were released onto the gmajna; the herd included eight mares.

• 2016

  The stud was opened to the public on Sunday, 1 May 2016, and included in tourist routes in Međimurje County.

• 2015

  Međimurje Horse Stud was established at Žabnik with support from the EU IPA funding mechanism within the Hungary–Croatia project "Tri rijeke = Jedan cilj".

• 2015

  The stud opening ceremony took place on 30 November 2015.

• 2005

  Međimurska priroda – Public Institution for Nature Protection was established by Međimurje County based on the Nature Protection Act.

A public nature-protection stud farm dedicated to conserving an endangered indigenous horse breed and revitalizing floodplain pasture.

• Međimurje horse breeding

  Breeding and conservation of the endangered Međimurje horse, a Croatian medium-heavy draught breed.

• Public visits and guided tours

  Open days and access to the mares, including events such as Croatian Nature Protection Day on 22 May.

• Habitat revitalization

  Revitalization of floodplain pasture through the return of an indigenous breed to an 8-hectare gmajna.

1. 1ergela – Međimurska prirodamedjimurska-priroda.info
2. 2About us – Međimurska prirodamedjimurska-priroda.info
3. 3Ergela međimurskog konja, Žabnik – Wikidatawikidata.org
4. 4Međimurje Horse Stud, Žabnik – Wikipediaen.wikipedia.org