Museum of Horse-Breeding (Muzei Konevodstva)

Description:

• Over 35 hundred works of art plus countless photos and documents trace the history and outline the significance of horse-breeding in Russia. Many deal with the Russian cavalry and hunting on horseback. There are paintings by Vasilii Polenov (known for his Moscow landscapes) and sculptures by Piotr Klodt (the creator of equestrian statues in St Petersburg). Of the breeds, those native to the former Soviet Union are in focus here: Akhal-Teke (from Turkmenistan in Central Asia), Don (southern Russia), Bashkir (South Urals), Yakut (Northeastern Siberia), Orlov (18th century; central Russia), Budennyi (20th century; southern Russia) and Vladimir (20th century; central Russia). Paintings of various breeds by Nikolai Sverchkov (1817-98) make up an enthralling gallery. The museum also houses a library on horse-breeding. There is also a unique collection of badges, bags, T-shirts, stamps, envelopes and postcards - all featuring horses! The museum building is part of the mid 19th century park estate belonging to the Timiriazev (formerly Petrov) Farming Academy.
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