The Altai horse breed is known for its incredible stamina and strength.
If you’re looking for a horse that can handle any terrain, the Altai is the perfect breed for you.
In this blog post, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about the Altai horse breed, from their history to their temperament.
So, if you’re considering adding an Altai horse to your stable, keep reading!
Altai Horse Breed Info
Here are some of the key things you need to know about the Altai horse:
| Height (size) | 13.2–13.7 hands |
| Colors | Chestnut, bay, black, gray, and sometimes leopard spotted. |
| Country of Origin | Altai Mountains in Central Asia |
| Common Uses | Packhorse, riding horse. |
Altai Horse Facts & Information (Breed Profile)
This breed has been bred in the Altai Mountains for hundreds of years, so they are used to the harsh conditions there.
Horses have always been vital to the tribesmen and nomads that live in this hilly area.
They need their mounts to have a powerful heart, lungs, muscles, and tendons in addition to extremely hard feet.
It is essential to have a horse with stable footing since riders must navigate treacherous mountain pathways carved out of the rock and cross swift-moving streams and rivers in order to reach their destination.
The Altai’s evolution has produced a robust animal that is essential to the people that rely on it.
This is one of the oldest horse breeds.
The Altai horse is one of the oldest and most resilient breeds of horse in existence.
For many years, their lineages remained quite pure due to their relative physical seclusion, and the introduction of new blood was never an accident.
It wasn’t until the early 20th century that new breeds of livestock were introduced into the Altai stock with the goal of creating bigger animals with greater labor capability.
If you’re interested in learning more about this fascinating breed, keep reading!
Alternative Names
“Alta’s Kaya horse”
Temperament/Personality
Altai horses are gentle and easy to handle.
They have adapted to fend for themselves even in the harshest outdoor conditions.
Physical Characteristics
The Altai features a moderately short neck and a head with a somewhat dished profile.
They are sure-footed on the steep mountain routes because of their powerful back, well-developed croup, and short cannon bones.
Sloping pasterns and bowed hocks are two examples of the occasional conformation problems that might occur.
The nomads of the Altai region did not tend to their horses and instead relied on them to take care of themselves, which resulted in the Altai being well adapted to the practice of year-round pasture grazing.
Because of that, and their extensive history and remarkable capacity for adaptation the Altai is widely regarded as one of the most resilient horse breeds in existence today.
Because of their strong build, these horses can withstand even the most extreme weather conditions.
Adaptation to their environment has resulted in well-developed tendons, muscles, lungs and a robust heart in these animals.
Hooves are sturdy and sound.
Colors
Chestnut, bay, black, gray, and sometimes leopard spotted.
Height (size)
13.2–13.7 hands
Stallions
13.7 hand high
Mares
13.2 hand high
Weight
700 lbs (320 kg)
Blood Type
n/a
Common Uses
Packhorse, riding horse.
Health
Very resilient to illness.
Popular Traits
An extremely hardy horse.
Feeding/Diet
n/a
Country of Origin
Altai Mountains in Central Asia
Ancestors
Unknown