7 Persian Horse Breeds

Persia, an ancient empire that ruled large swathes of the Middle East, was a dominant force. They were famous for their ability to breed beautiful horses, which were athletic and spirited, at their peak. Many of these breeds are now extinct. The few that are still around are evidence of the skills and mastery of Persians in horsemanship.

Modern Iran is home to most of the ancient Persian tribes. Some people still speak Farsi as their native language, but it is now known as Farsi. Some of these Persian horses are still bred and used by some Persian horses in Afghanistan and Tajikistan.

1. Asil

Asil horses are thought to be the most pure-blooded of ancient Persian horses. They are rare, but they are still treasured by those who have them. Because they brought spiritual and material wealth to their owners, Asil horses were originally popular in their breeding. Their bloodlines are kept and nurtured within families and tribes. It was prohibited in some tribes to cross the strain with another horse breed or bloodline.

2. Bakhtiari Horse

Bakhtiari horses are a type of the Iranian Plateau Persian horse. They have the same heritage as the ancient Persian horses and share the same conformation. Bakhtiari horses are named after the Bakhtiari tribe which bred and raised them. Because they are strong and spirited and are built for speed and endurance, they are primarily used for riding and racing.

These beautiful animals aren’t as good as the original Arabians. These animals are longer and lankier than their ancient counterparts, but they are still highly valued by Iranians and are still bred because of their adaptability to the local climate.

3. Caspian Horse

Due to their ancient bloodlines, the Caspian horse has been placed in many conservation spotlights. These horses bridge the gap between the Equus-eating desert horses of the past and the warm-blooded horses of the present. They had been thought extinct for approximately 1,300 years before researchers spotted them in 1965 while they were wandering along the Caspian Sea’s shores.

Although these horses are spirited, they are gentle and can be a great mount for children who are learning. They come in a variety of colors, including black, gray, grey, and chestnut. They are currently bred in Australia, the U.K., and New Zealand.

4. Darashouri

The Darashouri horse, a Persian native, is found in the Fars province. Although their origins are not known, they are believed to be Arabian. These lightweight saddle horses are elegant and refined in every way. They are bred primarily in Darashouri and Qashqai nomads.

They have silky, fine coats in grey, bay, and chestnut. They are smart, friendly, and bold. They are great for riding but can also be trained to show jumping or dressage.

5. Tchenarani / Chenaran

The Tchenarani horse is more than 2,000 years old and was created by crossing Arabians and Turkoman horses. These horses are rare and only a handful of pure Iranian horses remain. They were once used as military horses, but they are now racehorses and pleasure riders.

6. Turkmen Horse

Turkmenistan is home to pureblood horses, also known as Turkmenian horses or Turkoman horses. Although they are believed to have vanished in their pure form due to the loss of their beautiful and ancient breed, horse breeders have done everything possible to keep them alive.

Turk horses average about 15-16 hands in height. Their coat is metallic and has a long, thin build. They come in a variety of colors, from black and gray to bay and chestnut. They are a lively breed that is great for riding or racing.

7. Kurd Horse

Kurd horses are native to Iran’s mountainous regions. They are known for their intelligence, strength, and ability to perform in dressage and polo. One of the purest genetic resources is the Kurd horse’s bloodline. According to an official 2004 statistic, there were approximately 2,700 Kurdish horses living in Iran. More work is needed to preserve and maintain pure bloodlines.