Unicorn Challenge OOO in cooperation with Azerbaijan Equestrian Federation and Azerbaijan Youth Association of Russia led by Leyla Alieva will exhibit a rare Karabagh horse breed for the first time in the last 100 years. The presentation will take place at the largest Russian equestrian exhibition, Equiros-2019.
According to the contemporaries, these horses used to be “the beauty and the crown jewel of the Caucasus, worth not only of ducal but of a king’s saddle. The Karabagh khanate has been renowned for its horses from the earliest times. It was here where this vibrant and original Karabagh breed, or as the locals would call it “keglyan,” emerged – these slick, beautiful and strong horses made a significant contribution into the history of their homeland.”
The Karabagh horses have always been distinct thanks to their sophisticated beauty and particular grace – obviously, this was the reason why the local folklore and literature compared them to Persian or regular gazelles. There are typical coat colours – a golden-red, and light chestnut, which earned them the name “sarylyar,” or golden. The unusual “naryndzh” colour was particularly valued among the breeders: a light, golden-yellow coat with darker, almost reddish black mane and tail.
Horse breeding has traditionally been of interest for Karabagh khans as their family yards used to own the best horses. The breeding was typically herd based, and mares were very rarely broken, spending almost their entire lives at pastures, while foals would grow and develop under natural conditions, maintaining their constitution and breed health. Stud horses were always selected very carefully – if pureblood or half-blood mares were equally admitted, only the best examples of Karabagh breed studs could make it to the herd.
Therefore, the highbred keglyans have never been many in numbers, and the Karabagh rulers always treated them as a special heaven’s gift to nourish and cherish. They were rarely sold – the best of the breed were exclusively donated as the Karabagh khans used to indulge the Russian rulers with luxurious gifts. The khan yard became the main farm for pedigree horses, which could only be donated as a token of friendship and appreciation.
But the Karabagh horses were popular beyond their homeland too. In 1869, the Karabagh studs caused a sensation at the 2nd Russian national exhibition and earned prizes – Meymun won silver, Tokmak (“hammer”) won bronze, and the gorgeous golden-red Alyetmez was awarded with a certificate of recognition and employed by the state horse farms of the Russian empire. European horse experts also saw the true value of the Karabagh – the golden-chestnut Khan won the grand silver medal at Paris exhibition in 1867.
First exhibition for Karabagh horse breed
Last update: Monday, December 02, 2019 12:44:17 PM
