Lokai horses were originally developed by the Uzbek Lokai
tribe from Tajikistan, formally part of the Soviet Union. Their descendents
were Oriental mainly of central Asian strains such as the Iomud and the Akhal-Teke.
Karabair and Bukhara horses also are in the Lokai background. Arabian horses
were later introduced into the breeding mix.
They are approximately 14.3 hh. Some are smaller. Their
colors range from gray, bay, chestnut, black, and palomino. The coat is often
curly and has a shiny, metallic like shine.
Bonnie L. Hendricks, in her book entitled International
Encyclopedia of Horse Breeds, wrote: "Horses with curly coats are most
often found among middle Asian breeds, especially in the Lokai." Sometimes
you will see sparse manes and tails that can be traced back to the Akhal-Teke's
influence. They have great variance in their characteristics. However, there is
one strain of Lokai which can be traced back to a specific stallion, Farfor. He
was bred to reproduce this curly coat from 1955 to 1970. He produced up to 18
foals each year that had this curly coat. These Lokai are fully curly coated
from head to hoof. They have inherited a dominant gene from this stallion.
"His offspring were characterized by great endurance, resistance to
disease, and good adaptation to range living in the mountains... Farfor was
used for a long time in the Tadzik national game, buz-kasi... Farfor was
heterozygote, and to strengthen the heredity of the curly coat inbreeding was
used in certain generations. As a result of many years of careful selection, a
group of curly horses was obtained. Horses of this strain are curly from ears
to cannons, especially during the spring and summer periods." The legs are
not always properly set. The head can be quite coarse, but not always. Lokai
are not uniform in their conformation. They are extremely hardy, have excellent
endurance and are used in the famous game of kokpar or Bazhashi.
About Lokai Horses
