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Meet a horse with an incredible history...
A forerunner of many popular horse breeds today, the Caspian horse is a rare breed that hails from what was originally Persia and is now Iran. An ideal size for children and smaller adult riders, this rugged breed is equally gifted in the harness and on the Jumping course.
It has a fascinating history that highlights how rare horse breeds are often brought back from the edge of extinction by dedicated people committed to preserving their heritage.
History of the Caspian Horse
The modern history of the Caspian horse began in the 1960s in what is today northern Iran, leading many people to think this breed was a fairly new one. But it was actually a rediscovered ancient breed that’s an ancestor to many of the hotblooded horses from the Middle East and a relative of the Akhal-Teke of neighbouring Turkmenistan.
Louise Firouz, a horsewoman from Virginia married to an Iranian man, Narcy Firouz, was looking for suitable mounts for young riders where they taught in Tehran. The couple had heard about diminutive horses being raised in the Elburz Mountains near the Caspian Sea.
Narcy and Louise Firouz travelled north in 1965 to find the rumours were true. The horses they saw resembled images from historical sites in Persepolis, the capital of the Persian Empire about 500 years BC, where they were often depicted pulling small chariots.
The two established a breeding centre for the conservation of these horses, naming them for the area in which they were discovered. In spite of political turmoil in the area, over the years the Firouzes were able to send multiple Caspian horses to England and the United States to bolster their numbers.
After being gifted a Caspian stallion and mare by the Shah of Iran in 1972, His late Royal Highness Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh helped secure exportation of the breed, which he agreed was in a precarious position with only about 50 left in their native land.
Persicus Farm remains today — the Iranian national Caspian stud farm, which was originally begun by Louise Firouze, who passed away in 2008, 24 years after her husband. A registry is maintained by the International Caspian Society, and there are also societies in the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden, and the Americas, although the breed is still considered quite rare. The Livestock Conservancy is also involved in the preservation of this breed.
In 2011, a horse believed to be an early Caspian type was unearthed in a cemetery dating to 3400 BC at Gohar Tappeh in the Mazandaran province of northern Iran. Scientific studies of this horse and contemporary Caspian horses show genetic links to some of the oldest breeds in the world. It is likely that the Caspian horse and the Akhal-Teke are the ancestors to all other oriental-type breeds, including the Arabian and the Barb, which also contributed to the development of the Thoroughbred.
Caspian Horse Conformation
Not surprisingly, given its roots, the Caspian horse is slim, elegant, and long-limbed with a head that resembles both the Arabian and the Akhal-Teke. However, the Caspian is considerably shorter than these other breeds, standing between 11.2 and 12.2 hands.
Not a pony but a true horse in its conformation, the Caspian horse is found in all colours except skewbald and piebald. It’s not unusual to find examples of the breed without chestnuts or ergots.
This breed has a deep girth and a well-proportioned chest. Almond-shaped eyes are set in a beautiful head with a vaulted forehead and wide jaw at the throat.
Like the Arabian horse, the Caspian’s nostrils are large and often dilate when excited or working hard. The ears are fine, wide apart, and very alert.
Owning and Riding a Caspian Horse
Horse enthusiasts who are interested in purchasing a Caspian horse should be aware that their limited numbers might mean waiting longer to find one. However the various societies around the world are eager to help match available horses to the right owners to continue to advance the popularity of this amazing breed.
However, a mixed herd of 14 UK-based Caspian horses bred from from HRH Prince Phillip’s Foundation Caspians, and considered ideal for equine therapy, are currently seeking new homes. Click here for more information.
The hooves of the Caspian horse are small and neat, typically quite hard, especially if the horse is not too far removed on the family tree from mountainous Iranian horses, where sturdiness was essential. They often don’t need shoes unless exposed frequently to an extremely hard surface. Owners should take care that the oval shape of the hoof be maintained naturally without over trimming.
Because they are smaller — about half the weight of full-size breeds — Caspians don’t require large amounts of feed. As with many desert horses, they were bred to be hardy and able to subsist on a relatively lean diet, so Western owners shouldn’t overindulge with food they don’t need.
Fans of the Caspian horse rave about its intelligence and willingness to learn new skills. The breed generally has a friendly disposition, and it’s well paired with both novices and children.
The gaits of the Caspian horse are often described as “floating,” with smoothness maintained even at the fastest speeds. In spite of their smaller stature, Caspian horses make excellent Jumping horses because of their agility, superior shoulder mobility, and light weight. Their ground-covering ability and endurance also make them ideal for Eventing.
Caspian horses love to pull carriages and carts as well, like their ancestors in Ancient Persia. They are popular for single Driving competition and for working small holdings.
Check out more beautiful horses on the FEI's Instagram channel...
Words by Patricia Salem
Images courtesy of Caspian Horse Society (UK) / Images by Les Harvey
