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The 12 Oldest Horse Species Still Around Today
Animal Plant HQ ^ | January 8, 2025 | Kieran Schalkwyk

Posted on 02/14/2025 7:59:28 PM PST by SunkenCiv

...Przewalski's horse is the last truly wild horse species. Native to the steppes of Central Asia, it has existed for about 500,000 years. These horses are known for their stocky build and distinctive short mane. Due to their endangered status, they play a vital role in conservation efforts...

The Caspian horse is often considered the oldest breed, with remains dating back to 3,400 B.C. Found in Iran and Turkmenistan, these small horses are agile and used for various purposes, including riding and work...

Originating from Turkmenistan, the Akhal-Teke horse has a history of over 3,000 years. Known for its striking metallic coat and endurance, this breed is often used in competitive events like dressage and show jumping. They are versatile and athletic...

The Arabian horse is one of the most recognizable breeds worldwide, with origins dating back at least 4,500 years. Known for their stamina and intelligence, Arabians have influenced many modern horse breeds. A refined head and high tail carriage characterize them...

The Icelandic horse's history dates back to the 9th century when Norse settlers brought them to Iceland. These horses are unique for their five gaits, including the tölt. They are small yet powerful, making them excellent for various riding disciplines...

Dating back over 2,000 years, the Norwegian Fjord horse is known for its gentle temperament and versatility. This breed features a distinctive two-tone mane and is often used for farm work and riding due to its strength and calm nature...

Mongolian horses have roamed the steppes of Mongolia for over 2,000 years. They are hardy animals, well-adapted to harsh climates. These small but strong horses are integral to nomadic culture in Mongolia, often used for riding and herding livestock...

The Exmoor pony is one of the oldest native pony breeds in Britain, with origins tracing back over 1,000 years. Known for their tough nature and ability to thrive in rugged environments, they have a distinctive appearance with a thick mane and forelock...

The Asturcon pony has existed since medieval times in Spain's Asturias region. These ponies are valued for their strength and adaptability to various terrains. They are often used in traditional farming practices...

The Turkoman horse is an ancient breed from Central Asia with a lineage that dates back over 3,000 years. Known for their speed and endurance, they were historically used by nomadic tribes for transportation across vast distances.


TOPICS: History; Science; Travel
KEYWORDS: godsgravesglyphs; horses
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To: piasa

Exactly? Can they inter- reproduce with other horses and produce fertile offspring? If yes, they’re the same species.


21 posted on 02/15/2025 3:32:58 AM PST by Blueflag (To not carry is to choose to be defenseless.)
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To: SunkenCiv

Due to their endangered status, they play a vital role in conservation efforts...

How so? Don’t they just say “neigh”?


22 posted on 02/15/2025 3:35:23 AM PST by Adder (End fascism...defeat all Democrats.)
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To: Adder

I hoof no idea.


23 posted on 02/15/2025 4:39:38 AM PST by SunkenCiv (Putin should skip ahead to where he kills himself in the bunker.)
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To: Inyo-Mono

Dang! Those are some old horses! /rimshot!


24 posted on 02/15/2025 4:41:13 AM PST by SunkenCiv (Putin should skip ahead to where he kills himself in the bunker.)
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To: Pajamajan
My pleasure.

25 posted on 02/15/2025 4:42:40 AM PST by SunkenCiv (Putin should skip ahead to where he kills himself in the bunker.)
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To: Psalm 73

Wild Horses (the Rolling Stones song)
version by Old and in the Way:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sgH3vGeL_iY


26 posted on 02/15/2025 4:44:06 AM PST by SunkenCiv (Putin should skip ahead to where he kills himself in the bunker.)
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To: Inyo-Mono
I read that these horses came out of formerly domesticated stock. Once they escaped human management and lived in the wild they did not revert to ‘wild’ status. Rather they became feral .... like domesticated dogs that breed freely away from human intervention
27 posted on 02/15/2025 4:44:09 AM PST by SMARTY (In politics, stupidity is not a handicap. Napoleon Bonaparte I)
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Horse Gene Map | ILAR Journal | Oxford Academic
The domestic horse belongs to the genus Equus, which is composed of 9 extant species including horses, donkeys, hemiones, and zebras ( Table 1 ). The horse evolved in North America approximately 3.5 to 5 million yr ago and migrated to the Asian/European continent across the Bering Strait before becoming extinct in the Americas between 20,000 and 10,000 yr ago ( Simpson 1951 ). The horses and donkeys populating North America today are descendants of those reintroduced from Europe, Africa, and Asia over the last 500 years.
Genus/speciesCommon nameChromosome no. (2N)
Equus przewalskiiMongolian wild horse66
Equus caballusDomestic horse64
Equus asinusDomestic ass/donkey62
Equus hemionus onagerPersian wild ass56
Equus hemionus kulanKulan54/55
Equus kiangKiang, Asian wild ass51/52
Equus grevyiGrevy's zebra46
Equus burchelliBurchelli's zebra, common zebra44
Equus zebra hartmannaeHartmann's mountain zebra32
Adapted from Lear 1997

28 posted on 02/15/2025 4:59:16 AM PST by SunkenCiv (Putin should skip ahead to where he kills himself in the bunker.)
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https://search.brave.com/search?q=wild+crossbreeding+zebras&summary=1


29 posted on 02/15/2025 5:17:55 AM PST by SunkenCiv (Putin should skip ahead to where he kills himself in the bunker.)
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To: ProtectOurFreedom

Getting your horse to “join up” is one of the deepest bonds you can have. I miss my old Canadian mare, Jess. I used to go out to her stall and sing to her, amd she’d lower her head and her eyes would go all soft. She loved her dad, and we were all joind up. She would do for me. She was a good judge of character. She bit my ex on her ass one day.


30 posted on 02/15/2025 6:19:04 AM PST by Noumenon (You can evade reality, but you cannot evade the consequences of evading reality. KTF)
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To: SunkenCiv

A neighbor of ours had a Norwegian Fjord named Trolls. I was surprised at how small he was, but he was quite strong and easily pulled a cart with 2 men in it. He loved that horse.


31 posted on 02/15/2025 7:33:48 AM PST by Grammy (When tyranny becomes law, rebellion becomes duty. Thomas Jefferson)
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To: Noumenon

Especially for a teen girl.


32 posted on 02/15/2025 8:15:47 AM PST by ProtectOurFreedom (They were the FA-est of times, they were the FO-est of times.)
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To: Grammy

:^) Good name!


33 posted on 02/15/2025 8:50:27 AM PST by SunkenCiv (Putin should skip ahead to where he kills himself in the bunker.)
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To: Grammy

My daughter has a two-year old Norwegian Fjord filly. She’s a wonderful horse.


34 posted on 02/15/2025 12:12:37 PM PST by Towed_Jumper (Please remain seated until your civilization comes to a complete stop.)
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35 posted on 02/15/2025 8:03:53 PM PST by SunkenCiv (Putin should skip ahead to where he kills himself in the bunker.)
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To: Paal Gulli

Tonopah, that’s near where I live.


36 posted on 02/15/2025 8:20:38 PM PST by Inyo-Mono
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