Alka horse

From time immemorial, the horse has been an inseparable companion of man, and so it is also at the Alka of Sinj.

Alka horse
Alka horse

On the grassy expanses of fields near the river Cetina, grooms would meet, bringing their fast horses to graze, and there they would ride and race.

Alka horse

Alka horses are fine, dry and noble heads, with long and straight crupper and soft, shiny, silky mane. It is important that they can run from the Biljeg (the starting point) to the alka in 13 seconds. The running course is 160m long from the starting point to the alka, and the rest is the stopping distance of 150m to the end of the course.

Alka horse
Alka horse

It is said that Alka horses directly feel the glory of triumph of their alkar or concealed sadness because of his failure. A long time ago, horses used to be an essential part of Alka tradition in many families of the Sinj and Cetina region, but today this is not a widespread phenomenon.

Alka horse

Efforts are made at the Alka stud-farm to breed an Alkar type of horse which would, by its speed, calmness of gallop, temper and general impression, best satisfy the needs of Alka.

Alka horse

The only horse that nobody in the Alka rides is the Edek, which is fitted out with the most lavish and valuable equipment. Folk legends have identified it with the captured horse and equipment of the Turkish army commander in 1715, and the archetype of the alka ring itself can be seen in the shape of its stirrups.

Alka horse
Alka horse
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