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Karabakh is a mountain-steppe racing and riding horse. It is named after the Karabakh region. The horse was originally developed in this region. These horses are noted for their good tempers and speed. In 2004 a Karabakh horse named Kishmish from Agdam stud in Azerbaijan made a record in speed by running 1000 meters in 1 minute, 9 seconds and 1600 meters in 1 minute, 52 seconds. The breed is thought to be a cross-breeding of Akhal-Teke, Persian, Kabardin, Turkoman Horse, and Arabian horse. It also influenced the development of the Russian Don horse in the 19th century. At present, the Karabakh is bred mainly in Azerbaijan, but most of the horses are Karabakh-Arabian crosses, not pure Karabakh horses. Currently the breed numbers below 1,000 and is threatened with extinction. The breed is hardy, strong, tough, and sure-footed. The horse is not large, 14-15 hands high or 145-150 cm. They have small clean-cut heads, straight profile with broad foreheads and nostrils very capable of dilation. Their neck is set high, average in length, muscular and elegant. They have compact bodies with well defined and developed muscles. The shoulders are often quite upright. The horses have a deep chest, a sloping croup, and long, fine, but very strong legs. They have thin skin and soft and gleaming hair. The colors of the breed are chestnut and bay, with characteristic golden tint. They can also be gray. White markings are allowed. |
