Origin
Azerbaijan (former Soviet Union)
History
The Karabakh is a mountain horse, originated in the Karabakh uplands, between the Araks and Kura Riversd in Azerbaijan. The breed has been heavenly influenced both by the Arabian horse and by desert horses related to the Arabian. The Akhal-Teke, from which the Karabakh inherits its striking coat colour, has had a particularly strong effect on the breed.
Karabakhs were used to create many breeds and types of horses and were exported in large numbers to other countries. The quality of Karabakhs was so impressive that they were considered as important to horse breeding in Asia as the Thoroughbred in Europe.
After the raid by iran in 1826 when the stud farms were destroyed, Karabakh breeding began to decline. Today breed numbers are very small.
Description
- Head:
the head, as a result of crossing to improve the breed, is refined and well set on an arched neck of good length. - Conformation:
this is not a large horse but the build is clean and thickset with a musculature which is well developed.
-the shoulders are upright, which seems acceptable enough in a mountain horse, but is not conducive to speed,
-the loin is flat, short and wide,
-the croup is of average length, well muscled and wide,
-the legs are slender and possibly light of bone, while the joints are small,
-the tendons are well defined,
-the hooves are small but hard and solid,
-the skin is thin with soft, gleaming hair. - Average height:
about 14 h.h. - Colour:
the coat may be chestnut, bay or dun, and it nearly always has a distinctive, well-defined, metallic sheen. - Temperament:
alert but good. The breed is not easily excited. From living in severe conditions year around, the Karabakh developed resistance and soundness. - Today:
the Karabakh is very surefooted and has no fear of harsh terrain, proving itself to be a good choice for use in rugged, mountainous country, able to gallop and maneuver, changing directions easily. Karabakh horses are performance tested on the racetrack, and the best stock are those connected with the Akdam stud.
