The breed was developed in Russia in the late 18th century by Count Alexei Orlov at his Khrenovskoy stud farm near the town of Bobrov (Voronezh Guberniya).

The Orlovs emerged as the result of crossing various European mares (primarily of English, Dutch, Mecklenburg, and Danish breeding) with Arabian stallions.

However, the breed survived, and today, 15 stud farms in Russia and Ukraine raise purebred Orlov Trotters.

The land that became Orlov's Khrenovsky stud farm was gifted by Empress Catherine II of Russia as a reward for his participation in the coup d'etat which brought her to the throne.

The original estate was very large; the modern Khrenovsky stud area is smaller than it was prior to the Bolshevik Revolution.The ancestor of all Orlov Trotters was the purebred grey Arabian stallion Smetanka (Russian: Сметанка).

[citation needed] Polkan was crossed with a Dutch mare which, in 1784, produced the grey stallion Bars I (1784–1808), considered the first "Orlov Trotter".

He was 16 hands (64 inches, 163 cm) high at the withers, which made him taller than most contemporary trotters; possessed a fast trotting gait; and featured the beauty and noble bearing which would later distinguish the newly created breed.

For 17 years, Bars I was crossed with a variety of imported broodmares - including 10 Arabians, 2 Persians, 3 "Caucasians", 1 Russian Don, 32 English Thoroughbreds, 5 Mecklenburgers, and 1 Spanish horse[2] - and sired 11 stallions that carried his distinguishing characteristics.

Orlov's daughter lacked her father's competence in horse breeding, and the Khrenovsky stud farm went downhill.

Many stud farmers turned to raising racing horses, who were not as large and hard-working, or as beautiful and elegant, as traditional Orlov Trotters.

[citation needed] Eventually, Russian stud farmers managed to improve the racing performance of Orlov Trotters.

At that time, Orlov Trotters were used primarily for farming and transport due to their physical strength and outstanding working abilities.

The studs in Russia have a total of about 800 mares, which raises some concern; it is a general rule that a horse breed with fewer than 1000 female individuals is in danger.

In appearance, the Orlovs are characterized by a big head, large expressive eyes, a long and naturally arched neck set high, prominent withers and broad croup.

[citation needed] Due to the breed's Arabian origins, many Orlov Trotters are grey, at maturity, though all are born a darker colour at birth.