Racka Sheep: Super Thick Wool and Strange Spiral Horns
The Racka Sheep, also known as the Hortobágy Racka, is a breed of sheep famous for its unique feature: its strange spiral horns. Unlike any other sheep breed, the Racka Sheep’s horns have a special shape with spirals, creating a truly impressive image. On average, the horns of males are about 51 cm long, while the horns of females are 30 to 38 cm long. These horns are not only a highlight but also a clear distinction of this sheep breed.
Racka sheep have been raised by Hungarians for centuries and were once the most popular sheep breed in the country. Today, they are mainly raised in the Hortobágy steppe of Hungary and a small part in Caras Severin, Romania. In addition to its distinctive appearance with its spiral horns, the breed is also notable for its extremely thick, long, coarse wool, which is usually cream and light brown in color, but can also be black.
The Racka sheep’s outstanding features do not stop at its appearance. They are a multipurpose breed, which can be raised for milk, meat and wool. Their wool is used for wool, while milk and meat are also important food sources. Although the twinning rate of this breed is low, between 5 and 15%, each female can produce between 50 and 70 liters of milk during a 100-day lactation period.
The Racka sheep has a long and rich history. Recent studies suggest that their ancestors may have lived in Southwest Asia as early as 11,000 years ago and in Mesopotamia, ancient Iraq and ancient Egypt as early as 8,000 years ago. However, by the 18th century, the breed was almost extinct in Hungary due to the invasion of the Merino breed. The Hungarian government had to intervene in 1939 to preserve the breed, gathering them on a farm in Hortobágy.
However, World War II put the Racka breed on the brink of extinction again. Only 1,450 remained by the end of the war, and by the 1950s, the population had dwindled to just 200 females. Fortunately, strict protection policies and conservation efforts helped the breed revive. In 1973, the Hortobágy area was established as Hungary’s first National Park, helping to preserve this special breed.
Today, the Racka continues to be a symbol of endurance and unique beauty, attracting the attention of animal lovers and researchers. With their long straight, twisted horns and long, thick, curly wool, they are not only an ideal breed of sheep for harsh environmental conditions, but also an important part of Europe’s cultural and biological heritage.
