It may surprise you to learn that certain horse breeds date back to the Neolithic era. They have seen the emergence and growth of numerous notable civilizations throughout history. Certain horse breeds have been around for thousands of years and have managed to hold onto their natural beauty and dignity, much like old noble families.
This post is for you if you love horses and would like to know more about their history. Discover the distinctive traits of the ten oldest horse breeds still in existence by joining RaxinHorse!
1. Caspian horse
Leading the list of oldest horse breeds is the Caspian horse – a beautiful horse breed. This breed is believed to have originated as early as 3000 BC. The Caspian is considered a treasure from ancient times.
For a long time, people thought that the breed Caspian horse belonged to extinction. May in the 1960s, many Caspians were found alive, living in the surroundings of the Caspian Sea. Thanks to the conservation efforts of scientists and horse lovers, this breed has been revived and is growing.
They are smaller in size than other horse breeds, with an average height of about 10-11 hands (about 40-48 inches). Although small, the Caspian has a well-proportioned body and an elegant gait.
2. Arabian
Arabian is also not absent from the list of oldest horse breeds. This warm-blooded horse breed is considered to have appeared about 5000 years ago in the Arabian Peninsula. They stand out with their elegant lines, small heads, big eyes, and thick, smooth manes.
Arabian is also known as the “golden athlete” of competitions such as horse jumping, horse racing, or eventing thanks to its good physique. They have a balanced body, strong legs, and good long-distance running ability. Being raised in deserts with harsh climates and rugged terrain, the Arabian has the advantage of speed and endurance.
The Arabian horses are claimed to be intelligent, agile, and facile to train. Surplus to this, they have an important impact on many horse breeds in the world, which creates a large part of hybrid horse breeds.
3. Norwegian Fjord
The Norwegian Fjord Horse, otherwise known as just the Fjord Horse, is one of the breeds to originate from the mountainous parts of western Norway. Though small in size, they are so strong and enduring; hence, among the most varied breeds of horses in the world.
It is considered that the Norwegian Fjord Horse has been one of Europe’s most ancient breeds of horses, tracing their history back some 4,000 years ago. They used Fjord horses for drawing plows and transporting goods along difficult mountainous paths and even in wars.
The Fjord Horse is characterized by its golden or fawn coat, with distinctive black horizontal stripes on its legs called “zebra stripes”. They average about 65 inches in height, are well-muscled, and have a steady gait.
4. Akhal-Teke
This breed is rated as the rarest horse breed in the world. Akhal-Teke stands fourth in the list of the oldest horse breeds. This breed of horse is the national symbol of Turkmenistan. Akhal-Teke has been said to have emerged some 3000 years ago. It got its name from the Akhal Oasis and the Teke tribe of people belonging to Turkmenistan.
They embody the image of a free, powerful, and graceful animal. Akhal-Teke is characterized by a shining platinum coat and a tall graceful figure. Hence, they are nicknamed the “golden horse” and make the list of the world’s most expensive horse breeds.
5. Icelandic Horse
The Icelandic Horse is also one of the oldest horse breeds. They were born and bred in the harsh environment of Iceland alone, the island nation. They are a breed based on the horses that the Vikings brought to the island in the 9th century.
Geographical isolation has resulted in no crossbreeding, and the breed has developed independently as a pure-blood horse. They are of medium size with muscular bodies and a thick coat to keep them warm in that cold region.
Their contact is characterized by their gentle, intelligent, and easily trainable nature. They enjoy working and love cooperating with a human. The special feature of this breed is that they have 5 different gaits—more common in horses. Among them is one called “tölt,” which is a very smooth and energy-saving four-beat walk.
6. Mongolian Horse
The Mongolian horse is another very famous breed of horse amongst the oldest horse breeds. This is considered an ancient breed of horse that shares its history with the rise and fall of the Mongol Empire. They were the mounts for Genghis Khan and the Mongolian warriors in conquering the major part of Asia
Mongolian horses are very strong. They can gallop miles across rough landscapes and withstand extreme weather conditions. This breed of horse has thick legs, a compact body, and a fur coat to help warm itself up in the cold Mongolian climate.
7. Eriskay Pony
Although it may look like a “baby”, the Eriskay Pony is one of the oldest horse breeds. This breed originated on the island of Eriskay in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland. They are believed to have originated from horses brought to the island by the Vikings.
The Eriskay Pony is smaller in appearance than other types of horses. They stand about 12 hands (about 48 inches) tall and have short legs and a thick coat to protect against the cold. The coat color of this breed is usually brown or black. Because of its “small and cute” appearance, the Eriskay Pony is often used as a riding horse for children.
8. Asturcon Pony
The Asturcon pony, otherwise known as the Asturian horse, is one of the oldest breeds originally from Asturias, a region in northern Spain. Having a long history and outstanding looks, the Asturcon has become a kind of symbol for this land.
The black horse breed is elegant, powerful, hardy, and intelligent. They like working and are always game for any type of challenge. The Asturcon Pony stands medium in height at about 12-13 hands with well-developed musculature. This breed is raised in harsh conditions so it also possesses outstanding endurance.
9. Garrane Pony
Finally, the list of oldest horse breeds would be incomplete without the Garrane Pony. This is one of Ireland’s rare indigenous horse breeds. They are believed to have originated around 2,500 years ago during the Iron Age from the Forth and Bargy area of County Wexford, Ireland.
The Garrane Pony is a compact horse, typically standing around 12-13 hands tall. They were often used for work purposes such as farming or transporting goods over the rugged roads of Ireland.
10. Exmoor Pony
The Exmoor pony comes in at number 9 on the list of oldest horse breeds. It is considered the special horse breed with interesting “shaggy hair.” This breed is very ancient, whose earliest origins are from the region of Exmoor in Devon, United Kingdom. They are one of the oldest wild horse breeds in Europe and have adapted to living freely on these wild lands for many centuries.
The Exmoor Pony is believed to have appeared since the Paleolithic period and at least 1086 according to the British Domesday record. By World War II, they were almost extinct due to war. Currently, the existence of the Exmoor Pony is seriously threatened with only about 95 registered in the UK in 2021.
By the American Museum of Natural History, Hyracotherium was the first horse ever to exist in the world. This horse existed about 55 million years ago and is considered the first horse relative. It was the size of a dog, and quite often, it was seen in North American forests. At around 20 million years, most of the species had evolved large hooved feet resembling modern-day horses and were very tall.
A horse’s life expectancy is about 25 to 30 years. The lifespan of a horse will depend on the breed, diet, and genetics. The oldest horse on record was Shayne, who lived to be 51 years old. In addition, the mare Orchid lived among record-holding horses to the age of 49.
Yes. Horses are actually native to North America and have lived there for millions of years. Surprisingly, they became extinct in North America about 10,000 years ago, possibly due to climate change and human hunting. Horses from all other parts of the world continued to evolve, and have survived in many proportions of the world, especially Europe and Asia.
Final Thought
Each horse breed has its own story and beauty. They are the breeds that have witnessed human history from the beginning to the present day. The 10 oldest horse breeds that we have just discovered are precious gems in the flow of time. Let’s cherish and protect these treasures so that they can exist and develop forever!
