Karabakh horse facts for kids
A Karabakh horse named Alyetmez, from the stud of Khurshidbanu Natavan-Utsmiyeva, accredited in the Second All-Russian exhibition. Photo from 1867.
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| Distinguishing features | stands between 14 and 15 hands high. |
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| Country of origin | developed in the Karabakh region during the Karabakh Khanate |
| Horse (Equus ferus caballus) | |
The Karabakh horse is a special kind of horse. It is known for its speed and for being a great riding horse. This breed gets its name from the Karabakh region. This area is in the country of Azerbaijan.
Karabakh horses are famous for being calm and very fast. For example, in 2004, a Karabakh horse named Kishmish set an amazing speed record. It ran 1000 meters in just 1 minute and 9 seconds! It also ran 1600 meters in 1 minute and 52 seconds.
These horses are believed to be a mix of several other strong breeds. These include the Akhal-Teke, Persian, Kabarda, Turkoman, and Arabian horse. Today, most Karabakh horses are bred in the Shaki area of Azerbaijan. Sadly, there are fewer than 1,000 of these horses left. This means the breed is in danger of disappearing forever.
Contents
What Makes Karabakh Horses Special?
Karabakh horses are known for being very tough and strong. They are also sure-footed, which means they are good at walking on uneven ground.
Size and Body Shape
These horses are not very big. They usually stand about 14 to 15 hands tall. This is about 145 to 150 centimeters. They have small, neat heads with wide foreheads. Their noses are straight, and their nostrils can open wide when they breathe hard.
Their necks are strong and elegant, set high on their bodies. Karabakh horses have compact bodies with strong, well-developed muscles. Their shoulders are often quite straight. They have deep chests and a sloped back end called a croup. Their legs are long and thin but very strong. However, their leg joints are small. They are also quite narrow through their girth area.
Colors and Coat
Karabakh horses have thin, soft skin. Their hair is very shiny. The most common colors for these horses are chestnut and bay. They often have a special golden shine to their coat. Sometimes, they can also be gray. It is rare to see them in Palomino or Buckskin colors. White markings on their bodies are allowed.
Speed and Loyalty
These horses are very fast and quick. They are also known for having great endurance. This means they can keep going for a long time without getting tired. People say that Karabakh horses are very loyal to their owners.
Karabakh Horses in Culture
The Karabakh horse is a very important animal in Azerbaijan. It is the national animal of the country. It is also an official symbol for the Agdam and Shaki regions.
This horse plays a big role in Azerbaijani culture. You can find them in stories and books. They also appear on things like postage stamps.
Images for kids
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Alyetmez, a famous Karabakh stallion from 1867.
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A painting of the Karabakh stallion Khan from 1865 by Nikolai Sverchkov.
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The coat of arms of Shusha, showing a Karabakh horse.
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The logo for the football team Qarabağ FK, which features a Karabakh horse.
