Michałów State Stud was established in 1953. It took over horses from the stud in Klemensów near Zamość, which was closed at the same time.
The stud in Klemensów, existing since 1946, initially gathered English half-bred horses. In November 1947, Arabian horses were placed there.
They derived from Janów Podlaski horses recovered from Germany in 1946 and temporarily placed in Posadowo, and from Babolnia mares, also imported from Germany. Contrary to the situation in other Arabian studs of that time – Nowy Dwór and Albigowa, where Kuhailan type horses were concentrated – the material collected in Klemensów was mostly of the Saklavi type. In terms of value, it was equal to the herds in Nowy Dwór and Albigowa.
The history of the stud in Klemensów was short. Transfer to Michałów was the result of the post-war search for the best environment for Arabian horses. The nationalization of landed estates made it possible to choose from among many farms. Most hippologists favored the region of Kielce as the best one, where small, dry and refined horse type has existed for centuries.
The choice was made for Michałów, where the soil is „rendzina”with a marl substrate, rich in calcium, which promotes the formation of good bone and muscle tissue in horses. Thanks to its location in the Michałów valley, it has a specific microclimate. A small amount of rainfall, a very shallow arable layer, and limestone underneath it, cause the soil to crack, and the vegetation to wilt and dry up in low rainfall. These factors create a favorable environment for Arabian horses.
By the decision of the Minister of Agriculture of September 15, 1953, horses from Klemensów were transferred to Michałów. The first transport of 21 mares arrived at the farm on October 17, 1953, and another three were delivered on November 25, 1953. 18 foals born in 1953 in Klemensów came with the mares. On the other hand, after training at TWK Wrocław, 8 more mares were added. These mares, together with the Arab mare Miriam, staying at the stud since 1950, formed the starting herd for Michałów’s successful and well-known breeding.
Together with the horses, the breeder was transferred to Michałów, then the deputy director of the Klemens stud, Mr. Ignacy Jaworowski, who later served as director in Michałów (until his retirement in 1997). Perhaps that is why in some publications the Michałów Stud is treated as a continuation of the former breeding facility in Klemensów.
At the beginning of the stud’s existence, the dominant trend in Poland was to produce larger, deep and bony horses for use in agriculture. Arabians were not affected by this, which unfortunately resulted in the removal of several valuable units from the breeding. Michałów horses, mostly of the Saklavi type, were slightly taller and more massive than Arabians in other studs. That is why Michałów made it easier to get through this difficult period.
As agricultural mechanization progressed, the demand for horses for sport, relaxation and luxury entertainment increased. Arabians were in great demand in wealthy European countries and America. The most salable horses were correctly built, in the Saklawi or Kuhailan-Saklawi type, of great beauty. Small horses enjoyed less popularity. Obtaining successful results in this respect was made easier in Michałów by the fact that the herd of mothers was predominantly in the desired type of Saklavi. From 1960, when the export of Polish Arabians to America began, the Michałów stud began to enjoy great triumphs.
The first show abroad – in Verden in 1973 – was won by Estebna, who became the European Champion. Since then, the success story of the Michałów Arabians has continued uninterruptedly – they have won the titles of World, European, USA, many European countries and, of course, Polish champions many times.
From the perspective of more than the half of the century of the stud’s existence, the most valuable mare that came to Michałów turned out to be Estokada from the Milordka damline. The Estokada line is a family of champions – Gron that line derived Estebna, Elkana, Ekstaza, Esklawa, Emisja, Emigracja, Emigrantka, Emanacja, Emilda, Emanor, Emanda, Espadrilla, Emandoria, Emandilla, Emmona, Embra, Emira.
After years of unquestionable advantage of Janów Podlaski in Służewiec, Michałów has kept his outstanding racing horses. This is the result of consistent work of breeders who considered training on the track a necessary test of horse health.
Currently, apart from the world famous Arabian horse breeding, the Michałów State Stud keeps a small herd of Angloarabian Appalosa horses and several Shetland ponies. In addition, it has two herds of dairy cattle: jersey and black and white with large Holstein-frieze blood refilling.
