Diversity

About Novokirghiz HorsesAbout Novokirghiz Horses





Novokirghiz, or Novokirgizskaya, horses were developed in the 1930s in Kirghizia (Kirghistan). They were developed by breeding Old Kirghiz horses with Thoroughbred, Russian Don, and Anglo-Don horses. They are used for harness, riding, and agricultural work, as well as pack horses in the mountains. They are able to cope with almost any type of terrain. The mares are usually used for milk, which locals ferment and turn into kumis, a major staple of their diet. The mares can give up to 20 kg of milk daily. Speed records of this breed are: 1600 m in 1 min 48 sec, and 2400 m in 2 min 44.2 sec.

In 1918, forty-eight Thoroughbreds were imported to the Issyk-Kul stud in Kirghizia (Kirghistan) and were bred with Old Kirghiz mares. They became fixed during the 1930s and 1940s. Since then, they have largely replaced the Old Kirghiz breed, which had descened mainly from Mongolian stock in the high mountains of Kirghizia and Kazakhstan. Because of breeding with the English Thoroughbred, the Novokirghiz has become faster and more refined than the Old Kirghiz. Other breeds that were infused into the Old Kirghiz to develop the Novokirghiz are: English Thoroughbred, (Russian) Don, and half-bred Anglo/Don blood.

Novokirghiz horses are faster and more refined than Old Kirghiz horses as a result of breeding with Thoroughbreds. Novokirghiz horses have small, neat heads; muscular necks; sloping shoulder; pronounced withers; long backs; sloping hindquarters; and the legs are usually straight, hard, short, strong, and muscular, without any feathering. Sickle hocks may frequently be seen. They closely resemble Don horses. They have been known to be able to cope with almost any kind of terrain. They have good stamina, endurance, and an energetic temperament.  
They are usually bay, brown (a type of bay), gray, or chestnut, though they can be almost any solid color. They are from 14.2 to 15.2 hands high.