Karachai breed horse: description and photo

Karachaevtsy have one interesting proverb. They say that the horse is the wings of a man. And indeed, this people is very concerned with animals. The entire world is famous for the horses of Karachai breed. The horse, which was raised by the mountaineers, is distinguished by grace and strength.

True friend

Man is very closely connected with nature. Strong and strong-willed character made him a dominant over other creatures. Even 5-6 thousand years ago he domesticated horses. Earlier they were the source of milk, meat and skin. This is evidenced by the drawings on the walls of the caves, which were made in the Paleolithic era. Later this animal began to play the role of a tractor.

A long time passed before a man saddled a horse. Most historians argue that the Scythians were the first to learn how to ride.

They began to breed new breeds that would best correspond to the needs of those days. Among them there were mountaineers of Karachai breed. A horse of this type appeared in the XIV-XV century in the North Caucasus.

Highlanders have long been engaged in breeding these animals. Full-fledged clean rivers, lavish pastures and special love contributed to the process.

Muse writers and researchers

The first who described this type was the famous German scientist, forwarder, zoologist, geographer and traveler Peter Simon Pallas. In 1793, he paid a working visit to the North Caucasus, namely the area where Karachais lived. During the research he described the pets of this people.

Particular attention in his study Pallas paid to the horses. So, the scientist praised their amazing endurance, the ability to work long in the mountainous terrain. The man also noted that they have a good character and unusual devotion. All this was said about the horses of the Karachai breed. The horse made a positive impression on the researcher.

Further to the study of this type undertook the historian of the Caucasian peoples Semyon Broniewski. In his work (20-ies of the XIX century), he noted that these animals are not very tall, but very strong and can easily overcome long mountain roads.

Pride of the Highlanders

They turned their attention to these horses and other researchers, as well as writers. Traveler Jean Charles de Bess in his essays approvingly spoke about this form. He was fascinated by the Karachai breed of horses. He noted that this type is absolutely in no way inferior to its European relatives and connoisseurs could give them a tidy sum. Also, the man dispelled the myth that this subspecies is short, and indicated that their growth is identical to the parameters of other horses.

Stallions were often used in military affairs, like transport. The horses brought an important cargo through the distant mountain roads. Other horses could not do this.

The hosts who brought out this species received for one head from 60 to 150 rubles (at that time a colossal amount of money).

In the rhythm of time

The situation changed at the end of the XIX century. The number of heads of cattle fell, including that related to Karachai horses. Nevertheless, in the 1890s this type was considered one of the most beautiful, and it enjoyed great popularity among horse-racing enthusiasts.

A big blow was the Civil War. The number has changed. If in the pre-revolutionary period, their number was more than 30,000, then in 1925 this figure was only 10,000. This was a disaster for the owners of the Karachai breed. The horse, accustomed to respectful attitude, fell into inept hands. Care in the public stables was different from private. Nevertheless, non-fast horses could survive in harsh conditions.

Honored winners

Representatives of this kind of horses participated in a variety of tournaments. For example, in the run around the Caucasian ridge, which was conducted in the winter of 1936, 10 horses of this breed participated. The length of the road was 300 km. It ran through difficult passes and wetlands. In the competition, these horses showed the best results and came to the finish line first and, most importantly, not a bit worn out.

For many years, the owners also engaged in the withdrawal and improvement of the horse of Karachai breed. Photos that have been preserved since that time, clearly show how the external characteristics changed. The height at the withers increased by 10-15 cm in 30 years. The reason for such changes was the selection of queens and stallions in the family and the inflow of new blood, in particular thoroughbred English horses. In connection with genetic changes, today among the horses there are no pure mountaineers left.

It was then that the breed was divided into three main groups that still exist today: horse, massive and characteristic. The first kind is the descendants of the English. They can be seen at competitions. They differ from their brothers in higher growth. A massive type is used for work. They are described as mundane and bony. The latter feel great both under the saddle and in the harness.

Diplomatic upheavals

At the height of the Great Patriotic War, the Karachay people fell into disgrace with the authorities. Repression was used against them. They fell under the hot hand and animals. In 1943, the horses were stripped of their status. Almost half a century they were called "Kabardian".

But people who stayed in their native lands continued to breed their livestock. The horses of the Karachay breed did not disappear. History has acquired new twists and turns. After the death of Stalin, many families returned from exile. They restored their rights and traditions. But it was not until 1989 that this type of horses was given a deserved status.

After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the owners again waited for hard times. Critically decreased the number of livestock, but the owners managed to keep the breed.

Beauty and grace

Today, the government does a lot to develop this type of business. All sorts of competitions and competitions are held among different types of horses, both foreign and domestic. Take part in them and the horse Karachai breed - Karcha. The exhibition in Moscow allows even ordinary lovers to become more familiar with this graceful animal.

Although many skeptics say that the beauty is not inherent in the species, which Arab and English horses are famous for, specialists disagree. This breed is harmonious. The horse is thin, but has a very strong constitution. Among others, they are distinguished by a squat body and a long body. Profile of the head with a hump. A flat loin and a short back are created under the saddle. They have very well developed muscles. They have a broad chest; The front legs are normal, but the rear legs are visually bent. Such a figure helps to move better in the mountains. Hooves are extremely durable.

These and other characteristics distinguish the type among others. Endurance is the secret of popularity attracted to the horses of Karachai breed. Djigit, an exhibition on KCHR, usually has a goal to show all the best sides of this breed.

Character traits

A lot about them can tell and the owners. The main characteristic is unpretentiousness. They do not need special conditions. This is very important, considering how the economy develops in the republic and the country as a whole. One more advantage is endurance. Horses from time immemorial lived in mountainous areas and their bodies adapted to this land. It is very easy to ride them on ridges and rocks. If a simple stallion can overcome no more than 20 km of such a road, then this breed takes great distances and is able to escape for several days.

Pluses were clearly demonstrated by the exhibition of horses of Karachai breed in Djegut. There you could not only look at the horses, but also buy one of them. Potential clients learned new information from good hosts. The horsemen told us that the horse perfectly orientates itself in space, remembers roads and is more likely to experience stressful situations.

An ancient proverb of this people teaches that a man, first of all after a dream, needs to visit his parents, and after that his stallion. Here it is worth noting that the Karachai breed of horses loves attention. For this she pays devotion.