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
Fine mane and tail hair
Physique
Head has straight profile
Narrow chest
Short back
Long, strong legs
Hard hooves
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