International Caspian Society

THE CASPIAN HORSE

An introduction

 

It is a versatile performer


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Until 1965 the Caspian horse was virtually unknown outside a small mountainous area of Northern Iran.  Research into his origin produced theories which now reverberate throughout the horse world.  The Caspian is a horse (although it stands only 9 hands – 13 hands) and almost certainly dates back to 3000BC.  The breed is important as the possible prototype Arab.  The findings of a project conducted by Kentucky University places Caspian and Turkoman horses in an ancestral position to all breeds researched to date.

Attempts by Louise Firouz. who re-discovered the breed in 1965, to expand the small remnant population in Iran, were repressed by revolution and war.  The removal of a small number to the UK, prompted by HRH Prince Philip, and the achievements of a small nucleus of individual breeders in the UK, Australia, New Zealand, the USA and Scandinavia have ensured their existence today.

The Caspian is an ideal mount for small children, narrower than British native breeds, possessing the elegance, intelligence and love of people attributed to the Arab. 

It is a versatile performer and excels at jumping and in harness, with the quality and action that enable the Caspian to compete successfully in the show ring with any member of the family.