Samand Horse

Intro

A light riding horse from Afghanistan, the Samand Horse is not a breed, but rather a type of horse found in the country. This type is known for their incredible speed.

Origins

Unfortunately there are no official studbooks or centralized breeding programs in Afghanistan. While the country cherishes a long and distinguished equine culture, information about the animals is difficult to find. There are not specific breeds in the country, but more types that all fall under the broad category of Afghan horses. The word Samand means ‘racehorse’ in Persian, but the Afghan also use the word to describe a chestnut horse (although we didn’t find chestnut on the list of traditional colors).

Features

Average height 14-14.3 hands
Mane and tail hair is fine

Physique

Head has straight profile
Chest is narrow
Back is short
Legs are long and strong
Hooves are hard

Traditional Colors

Generally grey, but also found in black, bay and brown, often with black leg markings

Temperament

Fast and strong
Robust and maneuverable

Use

Transportation
Riding
Light draft
Buzkashi