The policy of the Main directorate of state stud farming in the Kalmyk steppe (1884–1886): integrating nomadic horse breeding into the army supply system

This article analyzes the Russian state’s policy of modernizing horse breeding in the Kalmyk Steppe from 1884 to 1886. The relevance of this topic stems from the need to study the mechanisms for integrating traditional farms on the outskirts of the empire into national economic and military structures. The study’s novelty lies in its detailed examination of local administrative practices and economic incentives (the institution of correspondents, exhibitions, and horse racing), which have not previously been the subject of specialized analysis. The methodological basis of the work is the principles of historicism and systematicity, as well as historical-genetic and statistical methods. The object of the study is the policy of the Main Directorate of State Stud Farming, and the subject is specific measures to improve the quality characteristics of the Kalmyk horse population. The conclusions are based on an analysis of records from the collections of the Russian State Historical Archive and the National Archives of the Republic of Kalmykia. It was established that public competitions (exhibitions and races in the Elista, Chilgir, and Utta tracts) became a key policy instrument, accompanied by material and moral incentives for horse breeders. The study showed that the introduction of evaluation criteria tailored to the needs of the cavalry and the distribution of breeding stallions stimulated the crossbreeding of Kalmyk horses with Don and stud breeds. However, limitations of the policy were identified, related to the involvement of only a small number of large farms, which led to tensions between the military department and the stud farm administration at the initial stage of integration.

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