The Large Zhemaichu (also known as 'Modern Zhemaichu') is a Lithuanian breed of a light-draft horse. It shouldn't be confused with the Zhemaichu which it closely resembles.

History:
Prior to the 19th century, Lithuania had only one Zhemaichu breed and that was the Zhemaichu, who served for cavalry and riding as well as for working the land (see 'Zhemaichu.') However, during the 19th century, the development of agriculture required larger and stronger horses for farm work. The Zhemaichu was too weak, and a new breed was needed.

In order to increase the height and strength of the old Zhemaichu, Lithuanian breeders in north Lithuania crossed Zhemaichu horses with Orlov Trotters, while breeders in the south crossed them with North Swedish drafts (see the 'North Swedish Farm Horse' and 'Orlov Trotter.')

These crosses successfully resulted in a larger type of Zhemaichu horse, which became known as 'Modern Zhemaichu' and 'Large Zhemaichu.' It was widely used for farm work until the mechanization of agriculture in the second half of the 20th century. Today the Large Zhemaichu is a rare breed.

Breeding:
Originally, the Large Zhemaichu was considered as part of the Zhemaichu breed. However, the two were officially separated in the second half of the 20th century, when the Large Zhemaichu was declared a breed of its own.

In Horse Isle, Large Zhemaichus can be created by crossing a North Swedish Farm Horse with a Zhemaichu, similar to what was done in south Lithuania.

Purebreeding, however, requires two Large Zhemaichu parents. This, in order to mimic the real creation process of the Large Zhemaichu, which involved selective breeding of Large Zhemaichu horses.

Conformation:
The conformation of the Large Zhemaichu resembles that of the Zhemaichu, with the main difference between the two being the larger size and heavier musculature of the Large Zhemaichu.

The head is wide and has a straight or slightly-dished profile, the eyes are large, the ears are small and thin, the neck is thick and muscular, the withers are unobtrusive, the back is straight, the croup is muscled, and the hooves are solid.

The legs are either clean from feathering or are lightly feathered, and the hair of the mane and tail is coarse and often wavy.

Performance metrics:
The following are the: range, average, (SD), and MOE of performance metrics of ordered Large Zhemaichus in Horse Isle (not bred ones). In rare cases, horses might have metrics outside of the range. Breeders can produce horses that are beyond this range.

Speed: 15.2-16.3, 15.6 (0.2), 0.04.
Sprint: 55-68, 61 (3), 0.6.

Accel: 0.90-1.10, 0.99 (0.04), 0.01.
Decel: 1.03-1.17, 1.11 (0.03), .0.01

Jump: 5.04-5.30, 5.17 (0.06), 0.01.
Pull: 2.75-3.52, 3.12 (0.14), 0.03.

Turning: 52.25-66.89, 58.87 (2.94), 0.58.
Reverse: 2.6-3.1, 2.8 (0.1), 0.02.

Stamina: 50.73-54.67, 52.52 (0.87), 0.17.
Reaction: 0.78-0.87, 0.83 (0.02), 0.00.

Coats & Height:

Colors: bay, black, and brown are most common. Chestnut, grey, buckskin, palomino, smoky-black, and dun occur as well but are rarer.
Breeding notes: Double-cream dilutes are not found in this breed, and therefore breeders should avoid crossing two heterozygous-cream horses.

Additionals: Sooty and linebacked are both common. Flaxen also occurs. Mealy exists, although the effect is mild.
Markings can occur on both the face and legs but are rare. Excessive markings will be penalized.

Height: In real Large Zhemaichus, mares average around 14.2hh, and stallions around 15hh. Therefore, in Horse Isle, Large Zhemaichus stand between 14.1hh and 15.1hh.