Azerbaijani horse. Azerbaijani horse Azerbaijani horses

BAKU /Trend Life/ - The horse in Azerbaijan has long been considered a symbol of honor, nobility, success and victory. For a long time, a man in Azerbaijan was judged by a weapon and a horse.

For thousands of years, the horse has been a true friend and companion of man. Despite advances in science and technology, modern world interest in horse breeding has not changed at all. In Azerbaijan, which is an integral part of the Turkic world, horses have been bred since ancient times, and love for them, as they say, is in our blood. Archaeological finds in the Mugan plain suggest that Azerbaijan is one of the first regions where horses were domesticated.

“If the horse is stubborn and does not want to go, then the owner is in trouble,” says the proverb. According to legend, the horse was the most vulnerable animal, therefore, in order to protect it from genies, they smeared kir (a black viscous liquid) on its back or pinned a pin to its tail. Distinctive features Azerbaijani horse - endurance, adaptability to mountainous terrain, unpretentiousness to the conditions of detention, she could quickly restore her strength after a long run. The use of a horse as a draft animal was not typical for the local population - it was considered more of a luxury.

The Azerbaijani horse includes several types, which have their own characteristics and are named after the place of breeding; Karabakh horses, Guba pacers, Shirvan horses and Deliboz.

Perhaps the most famous national horse breed is the Karabakh horse, whose birthplace is Karabakh. Karabakh horses are a symbol of national heritage and the pride of every Azerbaijani. And the ancient equestrian team game chovgan on the Karabakh horse was included in the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List in 2013.

Karabakh horse refers to an ancient breed of riding horses for riding in the mountains, bred in the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh of Azerbaijan. Until the end of the 19th century, the Karabakh breed of horses was the beauty and pride of the Caucasus, worthy of not only a princely, but also a royal saddle. It was also one of the best oriental breeds, which had a huge impact on riding horse breeding in the 19th century in southern Russia, the improvement of the Don horse, as well as some animals of the European countries of Poland, France, and England. This ancient breed of riding horses is recognized as one of the best among the oriental type. Karabakh horses are known for their speed, agility, good disposition and gloss. Timid and at the same time brave, unusually obedient and devoted to the owner, but also with a "zest" in character, well adapted for riding and tireless on long distances- this is not the whole list of characteristics of the Karabakh horse. But the main calling card of these horses is their golden color, for which they were called "sarylar", i.e. golden. And besides the golden-red and golden-bay, the unusual color "narynj" was common: yellow wool with a brown mane and tail, something between a bulan and a nightingale.

Interestingly, in 1956, the General Secretary of the Central Committee of the All-Union Communist Party of the Soviet Union and a member of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, Nikita Khrushchev, presented Queen Elizabeth II with a Karabakh horse named Zaman, which went down in history as the first Azerbaijani horse breed delivered to London Castle. The stallion "Zaman" was later also used as a sire not only in England, but also in France and Germany.

In the Aghdam region in Karabakh there were factories for the breeding of breeds of Karabakh horses, but, unfortunately, during the period of occupation of Azerbaijani territories by Armenians, a lot of suffering fell on these glorious horses. They were saved from destruction and transported to the neighboring Barda region, and then to the Aghjabadi region.

Deliboz (Dilbaz)- a breed of mountain riding pack horses, bred mainly in the Gazakh, as well as Agstafa and Tovuz regions of Azerbaijan. This breed was bred at the end of the 18th - beginning of the 19th century by crossing local horses with some types of oriental horse breeds, under the influence of the Karabakh breed. A characteristic feature of delibozes is their unbalanced temperament, as well as the wide spread of the amble gait. Possess good health, longevity and fertility. The temperament is nervous and very energetic, a positive feature is high agility, a negative fickle character and nervousness.

There is also a legend among the people that dilbaz horses were bred from the Khachadil breed of Shah Nadir. In the 30s of the 18th century, the Safavid commander Nadirgulu Khan, who conquered Tiflis from the Ottomans (Nadirgulu Khan Afshar dethroned the Safavid ruler in 1736, declared himself Shah and became known as Nadir Shah), set up camp in the Gazakh village of Khanlyglar. Here, a local resident named Ali took care of his horses. Before leaving, Nadir Shah, who, by the way, was a Turk, but at the same time considered himself an Iranian, called Ali to him to thank and say goodbye, and an interesting dialogue took place between them. Nadir Shah asked: "I captured Tiflis and now I'm going back. If tomorrow the Turks capture this land, which side will you be on?" To which Ali replied: "I am a Turk, even if you seize our land ten times, I will still remain on the side of the Turks." Nadir Shah liked Ali's directness and honesty, and he gave him two horses. But for the sharp language, he nicknamed the man Dilibaz, which means "sharp, rough tongue." Subsequently, the breed bred from these horses began to be called dilibaz, over time the name was transformed into diliboz, dilboz, deliboz. Dilbaz horses, being cavalry, left behind many breeds in their endurance and strength. Another feature of these horses is that after birth they change their color four times. The foal is born black, a year later it has a blue tint, then it turns a little white.

Guba pacers were distributed in the 19th century in Baku, Shemakha and especially in Guba districts (hence the name of the breed). The main advantage of the Guba breed of horses was surprisingly strong and durable hooves, adapted to the mountainous terrain, as well as courage and dexterity. Thanks to these qualities, such horses easily transported packs along steep and dangerous mountain paths. Horses of this breed have repeatedly participated in various exhibitions (Paris world exhibition 1867, agricultural exhibition in Moscow - 1896, in Tiflis - 1892. and others), took first place, were awarded medals and diplomas.

Shirvan horse breed differs from others in that they are very hardy, live long, and are also very well adapted to herd keeping. They are by nature strong, dry, with lively temperaments.

We present the photo session "Azerbaijani stars and horses" to Trend Life readers. In the photo - designer Gulnara Khalilova, actors Maleyka Asadova and Ulvi Gasanli, producer and showman Murad Dadashov, TV presenters Zemfira Adygezalova, Leyla Mustafayeva and Nana Agamalyyeva, performers Eldar Gasimov, Ayan Babakishiyeva and Gunay Ibragimli, ashug Ali Tapdygoglu, parathaewondist Ainur Mammadova.

Azerbaijani horses are distinguished by longevity, endurance, high working capacity, and are also well adapted to herd keeping. The constitution of Azerbaijani horses is strong, dry, temperament is lively. There are red, gray, bay and other colors of the Azerbaijani horse. This breed is improved both by breeding "in itself", and by the influx of blood from the Arab and Terek breeds.

Average measurements

Height at the withers - 138 cm.
Oblique body length - 139 cm.
Bust - 161 cm.
Metacarpal girth - 18 cm.
Live weight - 280-350 kg. Under a pack of 120-140 kg, 60-70 km per day are covered.
The maximum load capacity is 3000-3200 kg.
The average playfulness of two-year-olds at a distance of 1600 m is 2 min 22.6 sec.

Types

The Azerbaijani horse includes several types, which have their own characteristics and are named after the place of breeding; Karabakh horses, Cuban pacers, Shirvan horses and deliboz (an improved type, bred mainly in the Gazakh region of Azerbaijan, hence another name for deliboz - Gazakh horses).

Karabakh horse

The Karabakh horse is a mountain riding horse of very ancient origin. It was bred in Nagorno-Karabakh in the 18th century and was formed under the influence of ancient Iranian, Turkmen, and then Arabian horses. This type of Azerbaijani horse had a huge impact on horse breeding in the South of Russia and some countries of Western Europe (Poland, France). Among the Karabakh horses, two types are distinguished: dense, massive, short-legged horses and longer-legged horses with a lightweight body. They are mainly used under the saddle. Karabakh horses are hardy in long marches. Pedigree work with the Karabakh horse was once carried out in the Agdam stud farm of the Azerbaijan SSR.

Deliboz

Deliboses are a breed of mountain riding pack horses bred in the Gazakh, Agstafa, Tovuz regions of Azerbaijan. This breed was bred at the end of the 18th - beginning of the 19th century by crossing local horses with some types of oriental horse breeds, under the influence of the Karabakh breed. A characteristic feature of delibozes is noted as their unbalanced temperament, as well as the wide distribution of amble gait. They have good health, longevity and fertility. The temperament is nervous and very energetic, a positive feature is high agility, a negative fickle character and nervousness. Under herd conditions of upbringing, they complete their growth by 4-5 years. Horses spend winter on pastures located 500 m above sea level and characterized by sharply rugged terrain and semi-desert vegetation with a predominance of wormwood and saltwort.

Cuban pacers

Cuban pacers are a local breed that was distributed in the 19th century in Baku, Shamakhi and especially in the Cuban districts (hence the name of the breed). The average height at the withers is 136 cm, the oblique body length is 136 cm, the chest girth is 157.2 cm, and the girth of five is 17.6 cm. Currently, Cuban pacers are being improved by crossing with Arabian and Terek breeds.

World recognition

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Notes

Literature

The Horse Book, ed. S. M. Budyonny, vol. 1, M.. 1952.
Azerbaijan Soviet Encyclopedia. Volume 1. Page 134. Azerbaijani horse.

An excerpt characterizing the Azerbaijani horse

“Hello, Your Excellency,” he said to Anatole, who was entering, and also held out his hand.
“I’m telling you, Balaga,” Anatole said, putting his hands on his shoulders, “do you love me or not?” A? Now serve the service ... On which ones did you come? A?
- As the ambassador ordered, on your animals, - said Balaga.
- Well, you hear, Balaga! Slaughter all three, and to arrive at three o'clock. A?
- How will you slaughter, what will we ride? Balaga said, winking.
- Well, I'll break your face, don't joke! - Anatole suddenly shouted, rolling his eyes.
“What a joke,” said the coachman, laughing. “Will I be sorry for my masters? What urine will ride horses, then we will go.
- A! Anatole said. - Well, sit down.
- Well, sit down! Dolokhov said.
- I'll wait, Fyodor Ivanovich.
“Sit down, lie, drink,” Anatole said and poured him a large glass of Madeira. The coachman's eyes lit up with wine. Refusing for the sake of decency, he drank and dried himself with a red silk handkerchief that lay in his hat.
- Well, when to go then, Your Excellency?
- Yes, here ... (Anatole looked at his watch) now and go. Look, Balaga. A? Are you up to speed?
- Yes, how is the departure - will he be happy, otherwise why not be in time? Balaga said. - Delivered to Tver, at seven o'clock they kept up. Do you remember, Your Excellency.
“You know, I once went from Tver to Christmas,” Anatole said with a smile of recollection, turning to Makarin, who looked with tender eyes at Kuragin. “Do you believe, Makarka, that it was breathtaking how we flew. We drove into the convoy, jumped over two carts. A?
- There were horses! Balaga continued. “Then I banned the young slaves to kaury,” he turned to Dolokhov, “do you believe it, Fyodor Ivanovich, the animals flew 60 miles away; you can’t hold it, your hands were stiff, it was cold. He threw the reins, hold, they say, Your Excellency, himself, and so he fell into the sleigh. So after all, not only to drive, you can’t keep to the place. At three o'clock they told the devil. Only the left one died.

Anatole left the room and a few minutes later returned in a fur coat girded with a silver belt and a sable hat, smartly put on the hips and very much going to him. beautiful face. After looking in the mirror and in the same position that he took in front of the mirror, standing in front of Dolokhov, he took a glass of wine.
“Well, Fedya, goodbye, thanks for everything, goodbye,” said Anatole. - Well, comrades, friends ... he thought ... - youth ... my, goodbye, - he turned to Makarin and others.
Despite the fact that they all rode with him, Anatole apparently wanted to do something touching and solemn from this appeal to his comrades. He spoke in a slow, loud voice and wiggled his chest with one leg. – Everyone take glasses; and you, Balaga. Well, comrades, friends of my youth, we drank, we lived, we drank. A? Now, when shall we meet? I will go abroad. Live, farewell, guys. For health! Hurrah! .. - he said, drank his glass and slammed it on the ground.
“Be healthy,” said Balaga, also drinking his glass and wiping himself with a handkerchief. Makarin hugged Anatole with tears in his eyes. “Oh, prince, how sad it is for me to part with you,” he said.
- Go, go! Anatole shouted.
Balaga was about to leave the room.
“No, stop,” said Anatole. “Shut the door, get in.” Like this. The doors were closed and everyone sat down.
- Well, now march, guys! - said Anatole, getting up.
The footman Joseph gave Anatole a bag and a saber, and everyone went out into the hall.
- Where's the coat? Dolokhov said. - Hey, Ignatka! Go to Matryona Matveevna, ask for a fur coat, a sable coat. I heard how they were being taken away,” Dolokhov said with a wink. - After all, she will jump out neither alive nor dead, in what she sat at home; you hesitate a little, then there are tears, and father, and mother, and now she is cold and back, - and you immediately take it into a fur coat and carry it to the sleigh.
The footman brought a woman's fox coat.
- Fool, I told you sable. Hey, Matryoshka, sable! he shouted so that his voice could be heard far across the rooms.
A beautiful, thin and pale gypsy woman, with shiny, black eyes and black, curly bluish tint hair, in a red shawl, ran out with a sable coat on her hand.
“Well, I’m not sorry, you take it,” she said, apparently shy before her master and pitying the coat.
Dolokhov, without answering her, took a fur coat, threw it over Matryosha and wrapped her up.
"That's it," said Dolokhov. “And then like this,” he said, and lifted the collar near her head, leaving it just a little open in front of her face. “Then like this, you see? - and he moved Anatole's head to the hole left by the collar, from which Matryosha's brilliant smile could be seen.
“Well, goodbye, Matryosh,” said Anatole, kissing her. - Oh, my spree is over here! Bow down to Steshka. Well, goodbye! Farewell, Matryosh; you wish me happiness.
“Well, God grant you, prince, great happiness,” said Matrona, with her gypsy accent.
Two troikas were standing at the porch, two young coachmen were holding them. Balaga sat on the front three, and, raising his elbows high, slowly dismantled the reins. Anatole and Dolokhov sat down beside him. Makarin, Khvostikov and the lackey sat in another three.

Deliboz (Azerbaijani deli - crazy, boz - gray) is a breed of mountain riding pack horses, bred in the Kazakh, Akstafa, Tovuz regions of Azerbaijan. It is also known in many previously published works as the “Kazakh” horse of Azerbaijan, the Azerbaijani horse, which is essentially not true, since the Azerbaijani horse is a collection of horse breeds bred on the territory of Azerbaijan, including the Karabakh horse, deliboz, Shirvan, etc. They are distinguished by longevity , endurance, high performance.

Origin: The history of the origin of the breed is not exactly established. Bred as pack and riding. This breed has an independent and ancient origin, was influenced by the Karabakh, Azerbaijani and Persian breeds. Arab writers of the period of the 8th-9th centuries draw attention to the outstanding virtues of local Azerbaijani horses, which at that time were in great demand in Iran, Iraq and Syria. The subsequent history of Azerbaijan is characterized by frequent wars, and the war horse at that time was indispensable in the troops, this horse was also approved as a military horse. The stamina of the horse was increased by the addition of the blood of the Arabian and Terek breeds. This breed is known for its fickle temperament (hence the name) and walk. Deliboses have spread widely throughout western Azerbaijan, as well as in Armenia and Georgia. In 1943, the State breeding nursery was organized, which worked to improve the quality of the republic's horse stock. Starting from the mid-thirties and especially in the fifties, the karbakh horse was improved with Arabian stallions, and the deliboz horses, starting from the sixties, were largely Terek stallions. At present, the breeding core of the Deliboz horses, which have a reliable origin, is represented by the descendants of the Terek stallions Celostat and Pygmalion, so the problem of restoring the breeding core of the local basis arises.

In the breeding farm "Dashgoz" of the Kazakh region, 140 of the most typical horses are concentrated, of which 43 are breeding queens of the Deliboz breed, which have a high bloodliness for the Terek breed, which are supposed to be bred when mating "in themselves", while simultaneously conducting a one-time limited use of one or two low-blooded stallions for mud backcrossing in order to reduce the bloodliness of factory breeds and not lose the valuable qualities of the collected crosses. In total for this moment the number of horses in Azerbaijan is about 73 thousand 22% of total falls on the share of the Karabakh breed, 15% - on the breed "deliboz".

Characteristics: Delibose horses differ from the rest of the livestock in a short, dry head with a wide forehead and a thin nose, have a dense massive neck, a voluminous, steep-ribbed massive body with a good topline, a long, even back and loin. The legs of the Delibose horses are dry and slender with a greater girth of the metacarpus than other horses. Some saber legs are characteristic, which in specific mountain conditions can be considered normal. Some horses have a slight splay of the front legs. The hoof is distinguished by great strength and high walls. Overgrowth is not strong; mane, bangs and tail, as a rule, are covered with relatively sparse and short hair; brushes are short, in the form of a brush 2-3 cm long. Some horses lack chestnuts on their hind legs. In terms of growth, the deliboz surpasses all mountain breeds of horses of the Transcaucasus and is only slightly inferior to the Kabardian and Lokai. For delibozes, a peculiar form of the tongue is considered characteristic, having a deep notch at the end, creating the impression of a bifurcation. In addition to this feature, delibozes are distinguished by a dry constitution, a greater severity of riding forms than horses of the Azerbaijani breed.

A characteristic feature of delibozes is their unbalanced temperament, as well as the wide spread of the amble gait. They have good health, longevity and fertility. The temperament is nervous and very energetic, a positive feature is high agility, a negative fickle character and nervousness.

Appearance: The head is proportional, medium in size or light, light and clear outlines of the chin. Top part the head is broad and massive; ears are thin and short; the neck is medium in length, straight, while broad and muscular. The attachment of the head is not loose enough ("tight back of the head"). The exit of the neck is high, thanks to which the horse's head and neck are held high. well developed rib cage, voluminous, wide and long - typical feature breeds. The withers of most horses are medium in height and short, the back is strong, fairly wide, and even. The loin is short, broad and somewhat arched. Inspiration (distance from the last rib to the maklok) is short. The croup is long, fairly wide, in most cases deflated. Average measurements (cm): height at the withers 135-140 for mares, and 137-152 for stallions, oblique body length 139, chest girth 172, metacarpus girth 19. Live weight 280-350 kg. Under a pack of 120-140 kg they pass 60-70 km a day. The maximum load capacity is 3000-3200 kg. Under a pack of 115-130 kg, in mountainous conditions, they easily pass daily for 45-55 km, and under a rider up to 70. When tested at hippodromes, the best speed at a distance of 1600 meters was 1 min 56 sec. sec.

Suits: Black, red, caraca, bay, gray, mouse, buckskin, rarely nightingale and red.

Content: Well adapted to herd content. Under herd conditions of upbringing, they complete their growth by 4-5 years. Horses spend winter on pastures located 500 m above sea level and characterized by sharply rugged terrain and semi-desert vegetation with a predominance of wormwood and saltwort. Winter pastures are poor in watering places, they are located at a distance of up to 20 km from pasture areas. From remote pastures, horses are driven to watering holes once every 2-3 days. With the onset of spring, the herds move to summer pastures. As the snow thaws in the mountains and the grass cover grows, the herds gradually move higher and higher into the mountains. The main massifs of summer pastures are located at an altitude of 2000 m and higher above sea level. Summer pastures have good watering places and rich grass-forb vegetation.

The name - a horse of the deliboz breed - comes from the merger of the Azerbaijani words "crazy" and "gray". And this is the real truth - the features of these Azerbaijani horses include not only high working capacity, endurance, fertility, energy, amazing health and longevity, which, of course, are pluses, but also capriciousness, some hysteria and inconstancy.

It is now believed that delibose horses are the result of crossing a huge number of Azerbaijani horse breeds. They were created as packs and were very popular with the troops of Iran, Iraq and Syria. In 1943, they started crossing delibozes with and, as well as with Karabakh.

Deliboz horse with foal

Characteristic

The distinctive Delibose breed is quite peculiar. They have a medium-sized head with a thin nose, a clear outline of the chin, and short ears. Due to the high output of the muscular neck, deliboses always hold their heads high. The peculiarity of the breed is a massive chest and a strong back. They have a wide, but slightly deflated croup. Another sign of delibose is slender muscular legs, saber is sometimes found, but it is not a vice in the mountains.

The strong ones provide stability. Delibozes seem to be drier than other Azerbaijani horses. Usually they reach a height of one hundred thirty-five to one hundred and fifty centimeters, which is a very good figure for rocks. Their weight most often is two hundred and fifty to three hundred and fifty kilograms. With a load of one hundred and twenty to one hundred and forty kilograms, deliboses easily cover a distance of sixty to seventy kilometers per day.

Deliboz horse breed

In the mountains with a similar pack, they travel forty-five to fifty-five kilometers, with a rider on their backs - and seventy kilometers. The carrying capacity of Deliboz horse breeds reaches three tons. Common are black, karak, bay, gray, and buckskin. They do not differ in hairiness: the hair on the mane, bangs and tail is usually sparse and short.

Special attention when breeding delibozes is given proper development and muscles, because in old age, flaws in this can affect the joints of animals. With improper care, inflammation and the appearance of eczema on the skin of a horse are not uncommon. There are diseases of the cardiovascular system, fainting, morbillivirus pneumonia. All these problems can be avoided if you constantly monitor the condition of the animal.

Delibose breeds of horses are ideal for herd keeping. In the company of other horses, they fully grow up to four or five years. Deliboses spend winter in rough terrain, usually half a kilometer above sea level, most often they feed on wormwood and saltwort. They come to the watering holes only once every two or three days. Gradually, when the snow begins to melt, the horses rise higher and higher into the mountains, reaching a height of two kilometers above sea level. In summer, they eat cereals and various herbs, often go to watering places.

Since ancient times, the Karabakh Khanate has been famous for its horses. It was here that a bright and original breed called "Keglyan" or Karabakh was formed - these light, beautiful, strong horses entered the glorious history of their homeland and left a bright mark on it.

Khan's treasures

The formation of the breed began in the 17th century, continued until the 18th century and took place under the significant influence of Iranian, Turkmen, and then Arabian horses.

Karabakh horses (in the local dialect, "skittles") have always been distinguished by their refined beauty and special grace - apparently, for this reason, in local folklore and literature they were compared with goitered gazelle and gazelle. The characteristic colors of Karabakh were also noted - golden-red and light bay, for which these horses were called in Karabakh "sarylyar", that is, "golden". Breeders especially valued the unusual suit of "narynj": wool of a light, golden yellow color with a darker, almost brown mane and tail.

The exterior as a whole was also attractive - this medium-sized horse captivated with the perfection of forms, graceful head with lively intelligent eyes and strong dry legs - the skittle born in the mountains was ideally adapted to them.

Horse breeding has traditionally aroused great interest among the Karabakh khans - in their family factories were concentrated best horses. Breeding of Karabakhs was traditionally carried out by the herd method. Mares almost never stopped by, remaining on pastures all their lives. The foals grew and developed in natural conditions, without losing the strength of the constitution and breed health. The selection of stallions-producers was extremely carefully organized. If the mares could be both purebred “skittles” and half-blooded crosses, then the stallions allowed in the herd were always the best representatives of the Karabakh breed.

Thus, the high-blooded "skittles" were never numerous, they were always considered by the Karabakh rulers as a special gift from heaven, they were groomed, loved and tried not to sell - the best representatives breeds were exclusively presented as a gift - the Karabakh khans often indulged in luxurious gifts from Russian princes. The Khan's factory was already then the main nursery of pedigree horses, which were not sold, but only given "as a token of friendship and gratitude."

Largely due to this policy, the breed has retained its originality and unique features over the centuries - the color, exterior and character of a horse worthy of a khan's, and sometimes even a royal saddle.

Friendship for centuries

The core of the breed was maintained by the Karabakh khans even after the annexation of Karabakh to the Russian Empire in 1805. The newspaper "Kavkaz" from 1853 gives the following description of horses from the factory of the last Karabakh khan Mehdi Kuli-khan: "Old and best breed this plant is known under the name Sarular, i.e. gold-bay; they are small in stature: from 1 to 1 1/2 inches (This means the growth of 2 arshins

and 1-1.5 inches (148.5-150.5 cm at the withers)); a beautiful head, similar to an Arabian, bulging fiery eyes, open nostrils, small but foldable ears, a good neck; only the throat is sometimes with an Adam's apple, and therefore, when the horse gathers under the rider, the neck looks like a deer; the back is well built, the croup is fleshy, more round than oblong, the tail is beautiful, the chest is full, the berets and hams are muscular, the sides are well built, the muscles and veins of the hams are visible and strong, the cauldrons are sometimes a little long; these horses are never caught." Newspaper "Caucasus", 1853, No. 44.

Karabakh horses were valued not only in their historical homeland. In 1869, at the Second All-Russian Exhibition, Karabakh stallions made a splash, being among the winners. Meymun received a silver medal, Tokmak (Hammer) - a bronze one, and the luxurious golden-red stallion Aletmez was awarded a certificate of merit and appointed as a sire to the state stud farms of the Russian Empire. European horse connoisseurs also appreciated the pets of the Karabakh khans - in 1867, at an exhibition in Paris, the golden-bay stallion Khan was awarded a large silver medal.

Despite the international recognition of the breed, many Russian horse breeders considered the Karabakh pampered and not suitable for cavalry service due to their short stature. Nevertheless, the Karabakh horses had a huge impact on the formation of the Don horse breed - the Cossacks appreciated both the good temperament and the good health and endurance of the Karabakh people and actively used them in the formation of a new, improved type of the Don horse, which was formed in the 19th century. Large breeders in the south of Russia even then kept entire branches of Persian, Karabakh and related Turkmen horses. Karabakh blood flowed to the Don breed until the beginning of the 20th century; they gave it a characteristic type and oriental charm, as well as a golden color - all the qualities that distinguish the Don horse breed today.

Under strong influence Karabakh breed in Azerbaijan, the Deliboz horse was formed. Karabakh breeders, along with Arab and Turkmen breeds, were used in breeding Kabardian, as well as Streltsy and Rostopchin breeds.

Twice lost, twice reborn

The turn of the 19th and 20th centuries became a difficult test for the world horse breeding. Small breeds of horses were especially affected - not all of them found their place in the new world - the world of industrialization, the automobile boom, high speeds and the exact sciences. The Karabakh breed of horses almost became a victim of the new time - "skittles" from the destroyed noble factories mixed with simple outbred horses, lost a significant part of their breed and were crushed. The Karabakh horse migrated from the category of the best oriental breeds to the local mountain breeds.

The restoration of the Karabakh livestock began only in 1948, when a state stud farm was organized in the village of Goy-Tepe in the Agdam region of the Azerbaijan SSR. The main breeding core of the plant was 27 mares, selected by a special commission in various regions of the republic. The breeders found the only stallion of the Karabakh breed named Sultan, who became the main producer of the new plant. Along with him, a number of cool stallions of the Arabian and Terek breeds were used to improve and restore the breed.

All horses of the plant passed hippodrome tests. The breeders tried to infuse the blood of thoroughbred riding horses into the Karabakhs, which had a positive effect on the agility of the offspring, but did not contribute to the preservation of the unique type of “skittles”, which was still appreciated by professionals from all over the world. Karabakhs again occupied the pedestals of breed exhibitions. In 1956, the pet of the Agdam stud, a stallion named Zaman, was presented to the British Queen Elizabeth II, who was delighted with this gift.

The breed was actively developing - in 1971 the first top GPC of Karabakh horses was released, covering the pedigrees of all animals born from 1948 to 1971. Race trials of young animals were carried out, new farms were opened for breeding golden skittles.

The Karabakh horses also had a hard time with the crisis of the 1990s. During the war in Karabakh, they tried to evacuate the horses of the Aghdam factory. Not all horses survived the transition and the period of starvation, however, mostly individuals that had a large proportion of English blood fell. This fact determined the main direction of further breeding work with the breed - today only the blood of Arabian horses is officially allowed to be added to the breed.

Exterior

The modern Karabakh horse is medium-sized, has an average length, sometimes an Adam's apple neck, a deep and wide chest, even dry legs, strong hooves, and a light body. The head is dry, with a convex forehead, expressive eyes, large nostrils. The predominant colors are golden bay, golden red, and golden brown.

Karabakh stallion Khazri (Senate - Pine) born in 2007 (photo: Yashar Guluzade )

Building on the legacy

In 2008, the second volume of the CPC of Karabakh horses was published, and the third one is being prepared for publication. Breeding work is under the control of the Ministry of Agriculture of Azerbaijan (Azerdamazlyg Association), mating and foaling logs are kept in the farms, and a DNA testing system for horses has been put into operation. Juveniles from the main farms are undergoing hippodrome tests, showing good agility.

Like many years ago, the Agdam stud farm remains the main center of horse breeding in the republic. On the balance sheet of this state enterprise there are more than 50 mares of the Karabakh breed and several stallions, including Karabakh Sarab (Senate - Satma) born in 2004. and Khazri (Senate - Pine) born in 2007

Today, in addition to the state Agdam stud farm, private entrepreneurs are engaged in breeding Karabakh horses. The largest breeder is Yashar Guluzade, who owns 40 breeding mares and 5 breeding stallions. The main concept of the breeding work of this farm is the breeding of the Karabakh breed in purity, without the influx of Arab blood.

The main producer of the farm in 1997 was the magnificent stallion Senat (Paris - Sapylja), born in 1991, at the age of 2 years, showed agility of 1.28 at a distance of 1200 m. Many high-class foals were obtained from him, including stallions Sarab (Senate - Satma ) born in 2004 and Ildyrym (Senate - Skop) born in 2005 The stallion Sovgat (Karabin - Satma), born in this farm, was born in 2001. is the main producer of the breeding department of the equestrian club "Serkhedchi". In total, more than 100 mares of the Karabakh breed are produced on the territory of Azerbaijan.

Today, the elegant and original Karabakh horse is a living symbol of Azerbaijan, a witness and keeper of the history of the glorious people, the pride and hope of Karabakh horse breeders.

Living inspiration

Karabakh horses have repeatedly inspired artists and poets with their grace and beauty. Thus, the most famous description of the Karabakh horse to the general public was left by the great poet M.Yu. Lermontov in his poem "The Demon":

The image of a galloping Karabakh horse in tsarist times adorned the coat of arms of the city of Shusha. The beauty and grace of the "skittles" were also noted in the Soviet Union - the images of Karabakh were decorated with postage stamps, calendars and postcards.

Karabakh horses today are one of the symbols of Azerbaijan. The freedom-loving local horse, original and graceful, best of all embodies the rapid development of this republic, its striving forward and at the same time loyalty to traditions.