Review article
https://doi.org/10.33128/k.67.2.6
Horse breeding and equestrian sport in the Republic of Croatia at the beginning of the 21st century
Mirjana Baban
orcid.org/0009-0008-8128-985X
; Fakultet agrobiotehničkih znanosti Osijek, Sveučilište J. J. Strossmayera u Osijeku, Osijek, Hrvatska
Nidal Korabi
; Ministarstvo poljoprivrede, šumarstva i ribarstva, Zagreb, Hrvatska,
Nikica Prvanović Babić
; Sveučilište u Zagrebu Veterinarski fakultet, Zagreb, Hrvatska
Jelena Ramljak
orcid.org/0000-0003-0474-3007
; Agronomski fakultet Sveučilišta u Zagrebu, Zagreb, Hrvatska
Abstract
Horse breeding is the only livestock industry in the Republic of Croatia that has recorded an almost continuous positive growth trend over the last thirty years. In 1995, 2,488 horses were registered, in 2004 the number of registered horses increased to 9,321, in 2014 the total number of horses increased to 21,144, and in 2024 to 35,920. In the last 15 years, the number of horses registered in the system has annually increased by an average of 4.6%, with the largest increase being in the year 2021, amounting to 12.3%. Within the population structure, the cold-blooded breeds continue to dominate, followed by the warm-blooded breeds and the pony breeds. In addition to an increase in the number of horses, breeds, and breeding types, there is also a continuous increase in the number of private and social riding clubs, professional and amateur riders/ drivers, and other stakeholders. The number of various associations and family businesses engaged in equine activities is also continuously increasing. The growing number of equestrian events and competitions leads to a conclusion that equestrian sport in the Republic of Croatia is developing well, even if it only accounts for a small share when compared to the dominant equestrian-sport countries. Sports disciplines under the jurisdiction of the Croatian Equestrian Federation are organized according to the rules of the International Equestrian Federation. The most widespread is show jumping, followed by endurance riding, dressage, driving, and eventing.
Keywords
horse breeding; equestrian sport; Republic of Croatia
Hrčak ID:
343829
URI
Publication date:
12.1.2026.
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