The Zhemaichu (also known as 'Zhumdka,' 'Old Zhemaichu,' and 'Zhumd') is a Lithuanian breed of a small light-draft horse. It is also the oldest native breed of Lithuania.

Origins:
Over a thousand years ago, wild horses known as 'forest horses' or 'Tarpans' had roamed the forests of Europe. Of these horses, the Zhemaichu was developed. By the 6th century, Zhamaichu horses had already roamed in Lithuania, and by the late middle ages they enjoyed the reputation of being exceptional cavalry horses.

During the next centuries, Lithuania was invaded by various cultures and armies, each brought with it its own horses. As such, Zhemaichu horses were crossed with a variety of breeds, but the result was always pleasing. Zhemaichus were regarded as all-around horses, and served for cavalry, trekking, and farm horse.

Decline:
In the 19th century, the development of agriculture required larger and stronger horses for farm work. The Zhemaichu wasn't strong enough, and was therefore crossed with either North Swedish drafts, in the south of Lithuania, or Orlov Trotters, in the north of Lithuania to make it larger and stronger (see the 'North Swedish Farm Horse' and 'Orlov Trotter.')

These crosses created a larger type of Zhemaichu horse, which became known as 'Modern Zhemaichu' and 'Large Zhemaichu.' It was widely used as a farm horse until agriculture was mechanized. In the second half of the 20th century, the Large Zhemaichu was officially declared as a separate breed from the Zhemaichu (see the 'Large Zhemaichu.')

During the second half of the 20th century, the numbers of Zhemaichu horses plummeted, to a point where only a couple dozens of horses were left. Today, the Zhemaichu is still being bred in Lithuania, but the breed is extremely rare. It is locally known for its endurance and agility, and is primarily used for show-jumping and endurance riding.

Conformation:
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, the withers are unobtrusive, the back is straight, the croup can be doubled, the hooves are solid, and the overall conformation is compact.

The legs are clean from feathering, and the hair of the mane and tail is coarse and can be wavy.

Performance metrics:
The following are the: range, average, (SD), and MOE of performance metrics of ordered 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: 14.2-15.4, 14.7 (0.3), 0.05.
Sprint: 47-60, 52 (3), 0.54.

Accel: 0.94-1.12, 1.03 (0.04), 0.01.
Decel: 0.96-1.11, 1.02 (0.03), 0.01.

Jump: 4.93-5.30, 5.16 (0.06), 0.01.
Pull: 1.89-2.42, 2.12 (0.11), 0.02.

Turning: 52.99-67.20, 58.79 (2.6), 0.51.
Reverse: 2.4-3.0, 2.7 (0.1), 0.03.

Stamina: 45.33-49.62, 47.52 (0.93), 0.18.
Reaction: 0.75-0.83, 0.79 (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.
Markings can occur on both the face and legs but are rare. Excessive marking will be penalized.

Height: 12.2hh to 14hh