Named for the Altai mountains they have probably roamed for millennia, this is an ancient breed of the Siberian Pony type and among the oldest breeds of Siberia. Altai horses are extremely hardy and surefooted, shaped by a climate of extremes and harsh geography.
A Little Backstory
Like most very old breeds, their origins are not really known. Although their physical isolation has allowed them to remain extremely pure. While outside blood has been added, it was always with a purpose, generally to meet local needs. Despite the addition of outside genetics, some small herds have always been kept pure to preserve their bloodlines.
What Makes Them Special
Their age. Horses originally come from the American continents and made their way across to Asia over the Bearing Strait between Alaska and Russia. Their new continent clearly suited them and they began to spread West. It seems that the Altai Mountains is where one strain of the equine family decided to stay. While they bear resemblance to some of the mountain breeds found further west, including Mongolia, they also have a look that is all their own. The Russians appear to take horse breeding extremely seriously and hopefully these animals will roam the Altai for centuries more. To learn more about them, be sure to visit the Altai breed page.
Quick Facts
Native to Russia.
If there is an official studbook, it’s not reported.
They are listed in the DAD-IS and the most recent population data was in 2003 when there were 3190 animals.