A Kazakh Horse is an amazing animal that has been bred for centuries in the remote and rugged country of Kazakhstan.
This hardy breed is well-adapted to a wide range of climates and is known for its stamina and good disposition.
So, if you are intrigued by this unique breed, keep reading!
Kazakh Horse Breed Info
Here are some of the key things you need to know about the Kazakh horse:
| Height (size) | Around 14.0 hands high |
| Colors | Black, bay, brown, chestnut, gray, dun |
| Country of Origin | Kazakhstan |
| Common Uses | Riding, meat and milk production, herding cattle, eagle hunting, in ceremonies and dating rituals |
Kazakh Horse Facts & Information (Breed Profile)
The Kazakh people, who reside mostly in Kazakhstan but also in certain areas of China, Mongolia, Russia, and Uzbekistan, are known for their breed of horses known as the Kazakh Horse.
The Kazakh horse is very similar to the Mongol horse, and may be traced back to at least the fifth century, when it already had a sizable population.
Originally descended from the wild horses of the steppe, the Kazakh people domesticated and improved the breed via selective breeding.
Khazah horses have been selectively bred for ages for the high quality of their meat and milk.
The thickness of the backfat might reach several inches.
The udders of a mare are big, and similar to those of a goat.
They are able to endure the harsh winter conditions of -20 degrees Fahrenheit (-30 degrees Celsius) by consuming snow as a source of water and searching for grass by pawing through ice.
Saddle horses are valuable to a herder, and very rarely are they killed for their meat.
An old saddle horse is left to live out his life with the wild herd.
Even though horses are greatly valued in Kazakhstan, their meat is consumed out of respect and admiration for the animal.
It is believed that horse meat possesses many practically magical powers.
Two types of Kazakh horse exist today: the Jabe (sometimes called the Dzhab) and the Adaev.
The Jabe originated in the southeast of Kazakhstan and eventually expanded across the country.
This kind of horse is not only good for riding but also provides a significant amount of milk, which is an important part of the traditional diet of the Kazakh nomads.
Additionally, it fattens rapidly, making it a valuable meat source.
The Adaev type is more often used for riding and also racing because it is much leaner than the Jabe.
The bloodlines of the Kazakh horse, which were formerly maintained with great care, have been somewhat diluted since the turn of the 20th century by the introduction of Don, Orlov Trotter, and even Thoroughbred blood.
Now, there are more than 300,000 horses in Kazakhstan, the vast majority of which can be found in the country’s western regions.
They are highly revered by the Kazakhs and are an essential part of their cultural identity.
Springtime rituals celebrating the beginning of mating season have been added to UNESCO’s list of the intangible cultural heritage of humanity.
If you’re interested in learning more about this fascinating breed, keep reading!
Alternative Names
n/a
Temperament/Personality
Good disposition
Physical Characteristics
They have a reputation for being tough and resilient, and can survive in the harshest of winters without any shelter or extra food.
They can easily cover long distances, but because of their short stride, their paces are sometimes jolting, which may be unpleasant for the rider.
Today we distinguish two types – the Jabe and the Adaev.
The Jabe has an unrefined head and a thick neck.
The chest is deep, and the back is straight.
The croup is well-muscled, and the body is wide.
The skin is thick and the coat is fluffy.
The legs are well set and strong.
The weight of a Jabe horse compared to its stature is quite impressive, and Jabe mares may produce as much as 20 liters of milk per day.
The Adaev type is characterized by a lighter body and a more refined build.
It has a longer neck and more prominent withers, and a more elegant head head.
Some Adaev horses, either as a result of poor management or perhaps as a result of crossbreeding with breeds that are lighter and/or taller, have an undesirable narrow chest and not enough bone.
Colors
Black, bay, brown, chestnut, grey, dun
Height (size)
Around 14.0 hands high
Stallions
n/a
Mares
n/a
Weight
n/a
Blood Type
Warm
Common Uses
Riding, meat and milk production, herding cattle, eagle hunting, in ceremonies and dating rituals
Health
Popular Traits
Very hardy with great stamina
Feeding/Diet
n/a
Country of Origin
Kazakhstan
Ancestors
Wild horses of the steppe, Mongolian horse, Akhal-Teke, Arabian, Karabair