Karabair
Encyclopedia
The Karabair breed is a very old breed based on ancient stock that has been documented as being in the Uzbekistan
area before the Christian era.
and Mongol
blood, later influenced by the desert horse breeds
from neighbouring countries, such as the Turkomene
. Uzbekistan's nomadic peoples were the principal breeders of the Karabair, and their wide-ranging travels account for the number of different breeds which have influenced the development of the Karabair. The Karabair is similar to the Arabian, especially in its toughness and endurance, speed and agility, although the Karabair is somewhat taller.
, but with distinct features. They tend to have a small, but attractive head with a straight profile, and a well-muscled neck of good length. They have a somewhat narrow chest, but deep lung capacity and sloping, muscular shoulders. The body frame is lean and wiry with no fleshiness, and a thin, fine skin. They have a short compact back, and quite sloping quarters. Often they appear to be more developed in the front half than in the quarters. The legs are quite fine, but strong with very hard hooves
. Generally they are gray
, bay or chestnut
and stand between high.
Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan , officially the Republic of Uzbekistan is a doubly landlocked country in Central Asia and one of the six independent Turkic states. It shares borders with Kazakhstan to the west and to the north, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan to the east, and Afghanistan and Turkmenistan to the south....
area before the Christian era.
History
Although the Karabair was recorded as a unique breed in ancient Chinese writings, who described them as "flying horses," It is likely that the Karabair developed through a mixture of ArabianArabian horse
The Arabian or Arab horse is a breed of horse that originated on the Arabian Peninsula. With a distinctive head shape and high tail carriage, the Arabian is one of the most easily recognizable horse breeds in the world. It is also one of the oldest breeds, with archaeological evidence of horses...
and Mongol
Mongolian horse
The Mongol horse is the native horse breed of Mongolia. The breed is purported to be largely unchanged since the time of Genghis Khan. Nomads living in the traditional Mongol fashion still hold more than 3 million animals, which outnumber the country's human population...
blood, later influenced by the desert horse breeds
Oriental horse
The term oriental horse refers to the ancient breeds of horses developed in the Middle East, such as the Arabian, Akhal-Teke, Barb, and the now-extinct Turkoman horse. They tend to be thin-skinned, long-legged, slim in build and more physically refined than other types, but with great endurance...
from neighbouring countries, such as the Turkomene
Turkoman Horse
The Turkoman horse, or Turkmene, was an Oriental horse breed from the steppes of Central Asia, now extinct. Modern descendants include the Akhal-Teke and the Yamud horse breeds. Horses bred in Turkmenistan are still referred to as Turkoman, and have similar characteristics...
. Uzbekistan's nomadic peoples were the principal breeders of the Karabair, and their wide-ranging travels account for the number of different breeds which have influenced the development of the Karabair. The Karabair is similar to the Arabian, especially in its toughness and endurance, speed and agility, although the Karabair is somewhat taller.
Uses
The horse is a fairly central element of life to the Uzbekistan people and is used for riding and driving, as well as in the ridden game of Kokpar. Kokpar is a ferocious game which centres over gaining possession of a dead goat carcass - there are few rules and many injuries, and the Karabair with its bravery and speed is used almost exclusively to play.Types
The Karabair developed in three different types, all of similar height—a light draft type, suitable for pack and riding, a heavy draft type, and a lighter riding horse. However, today although there is less distinction between the types; the heavier type has almost disappeared, and the other two types have merged.Characteristics
In appearance, they have the conformation of a stocky oriental horseOriental horse
The term oriental horse refers to the ancient breeds of horses developed in the Middle East, such as the Arabian, Akhal-Teke, Barb, and the now-extinct Turkoman horse. They tend to be thin-skinned, long-legged, slim in build and more physically refined than other types, but with great endurance...
, but with distinct features. They tend to have a small, but attractive head with a straight profile, and a well-muscled neck of good length. They have a somewhat narrow chest, but deep lung capacity and sloping, muscular shoulders. The body frame is lean and wiry with no fleshiness, and a thin, fine skin. They have a short compact back, and quite sloping quarters. Often they appear to be more developed in the front half than in the quarters. The legs are quite fine, but strong with very hard hooves
Horse hoof
A horse hoof is a structure surrounding the distal phalanx of the 3rd digit of each of the four limbs of Equus species, which is covered by complex soft tissue and keratinised structures...
. Generally they are gray
Gray (horse)
Gray or grey is a coat color of horses characterized by progressive silvering of the colored hairs of the coat. Most gray horses have black skin and dark eyes; unlike many depigmentation genes, gray does not affect skin or eye color Their adult hair coat is white, dappled, or white intermingled...
, bay or chestnut
Chestnut (coat)
Chestnut is a hair coat color of horses consisting of a reddish-to-brown coat with a mane and tail the same or lighter in color than the coat. Genetically and visually, chestnut is characterized by the absolute absence of true black hairs...
and stand between high.