Novokirghiz, or Novokirgizskaya, horses were developed in
the 1930s in Kirghizia (Kirghistan). They were developed by breeding Old
Kirghiz horses with Thoroughbred, Russian Don, and Anglo-Don horses. They are
used for harness, riding, and agricultural work, as well as pack horses in the
mountains. They are able to cope with almost any type of terrain. The mares are
usually used for milk, which locals ferment and turn into kumis, a major staple
of their diet. The mares can give up to 20 kg of milk daily. Speed records of
this breed are: 1600 m in 1 min 48 sec, and 2400 m in 2 min 44.2 sec.
In 1918, forty-eight Thoroughbreds were imported to the
Issyk-Kul stud in Kirghizia (Kirghistan) and were bred with Old Kirghiz mares. They
became fixed during the 1930s and 1940s. Since then, they have largely replaced
the Old Kirghiz breed, which had descened mainly from Mongolian stock in the
high mountains of Kirghizia and Kazakhstan. Because of breeding with the
English Thoroughbred, the Novokirghiz has become faster and more refined than
the Old Kirghiz. Other breeds that were infused into the Old Kirghiz to develop
the Novokirghiz are: English Thoroughbred, (Russian) Don, and half-bred
Anglo/Don blood.
Novokirghiz horses are faster and more refined than Old
Kirghiz horses as a result of breeding with Thoroughbreds. Novokirghiz horses
have small, neat heads; muscular necks; sloping shoulder; pronounced withers;
long backs; sloping hindquarters; and the legs are usually straight, hard,
short, strong, and muscular, without any feathering. Sickle hocks may
frequently be seen. They closely resemble Don horses. They have been known to
be able to cope with almost any kind of terrain. They have good stamina, endurance,
and an energetic temperament.
They are usually bay, brown (a type of bay), gray, or
chestnut, though they can be almost any solid color. They are from 14.2 to 15.2
hands high.
About Novokirghiz Horses
