- Novokirghiz -

The Novokirghiz is a relatively new breed that developed in the 1930s in Kirghizia and which has largely replaced the Old Kirghiz breed, from which it evolved. The Old Kirghiz was a mountain breed from the high altitude areas of Kirghizia and Kazakhstan and had descended largely from Mongolian stock. The Novokirghiz has developed as a more refined and faster breed, mainly due to combinations of English Thoroughbred, Don, and halfbred Anglo/Don blood, crossed with the Old Kirghiz, By 1918, 48 Thoroughbreds had been imported to the stud of Issyk-Kul and were being bred with Old Kirghiz mares, During the 1930s and 1940s, the breed characteristics became fixed by repeated crossbreeding between Old Kirghiz, Thoroughbred, and Don, and interbreeding the best of the progeny. Three differently types emerged: basic, massive, and saddle. The massive type was the most successful and the most versatile and well adapted to its environment.

They are typically tough and useful in harness, for riding, or for agricultural work. They are stout and strong and are also frequently used for pack purposes in the mountains. The basic and saddle types lacked in stamina and endurance and were less able to cope with the mountain climate. Now the three types are less distinct and there is more of a single improved type.

Characteristically, they are very tough and strong and are able to cope with any kind of terrain. They have great stamina and endurance, as well as having an amenable and energetic temperament, and are used as riding horses aw well as for light draft and pack work. The Novokirghiz mares are used for milk production, which is turned into a fermented drink koumiss, which is a major part of the local people's diet Interestingly, the mares are fairly infertile, which has been attributed to too much Thoroughbred blood being interfused to the breed.

In appearance, they should have a small neat head, a muscular, well-formed neck, good sloping shoulders, an well-developed chest, pronounced withers, a longish back, and sloping quarters. Usually they have short legs that are very strong and muscular, although they often exhibit sickly hocks. They are mostly bay, brown, gray, or chestnut in color, and stand between 14 and 15 hh.

Return to Horse Breeds page