Kirghiz Horse

Kirghiz Horse

 

a local riding and pack horse known since ancient times, raised in the Kirghiz SSR and in neighboring mountainous regions of the Tadzhik, Uzbek, and Kazakh SSR’s.

The Kirghiz horse is small (measuring 136–138 cm at the withers) and stocky, with a thick, elongated trunk, a somewhat coarse head, and short, strong legs. It is hardy and well adapted as a saddle and pack horse in mountainous terrain and has a high fertility rate. Raised in herds, Kirghiz horses are also used for meat and milk. Mares yield up to 16 kg of milk per day. The Kirghiz horse has been improved by crossbreeding with the Don horse, purebred riding horses, and the New Kirghiz horse.

REFERENCE

Kniga o loshadi, vol. 1. Edited by S. M. Budennyi. Moscow, 1952.