{"id":1006,"date":"2010-08-09T14:08:27","date_gmt":"2010-08-09T14:08:27","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.theequinest.com\/breeds\/?p=1006"},"modified":"2025-03-28T20:40:28","modified_gmt":"2025-03-28T20:40:28","slug":"przewalski","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theequinest.com\/breeds\/przewalski","title":{"rendered":"Przewalski’s Horse"},"content":{"rendered":"

Intro<\/h3>\n

Also called Equus Przewalskii, Asiatic Wild horse, Mongolian Wild Horse and Taki, the Przewalski’s Horse is the only known surviving species of wild equine on the planet (since the extinction of the Tarpan<\/a>). All other breeds of modern horse are thought to come from domesticated horse (yes, even the feral ones – at some point they were all reintroduced to the wild).
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Origins<\/h3>\n

There is controversy surrounding the origins of this breed, some do think they are the ancestors to modern domestic horse, but others disagree. However it can be agreed that they once roamed the steppe along the Mongolia\/ China border. The Przewalski carries 66 chromosomes and domestic horse carries 64. Their offspring are fertile and carry 65 chromosomes, which may indicate that they are a different species altogether. <\/p>\n

These animals were first discovered early in the 15th century by a Bavarian who traded east until he wound up with the Mongols. They were recorded again in the 18th century by a Scottish doctor sent to China. However the men responsible for their interesting name and their official discovery was a Russian explorer called Colonel Przewalski. <\/p>\n

Newly Re-introduced<\/h3>\n

Sadly, until very recently the Przewalski’s Horse was extinct in the wild, hunted, squeezed out and cross-bred into oblivion. They have been saved by extinction altogether by zoos and breeding programs. In 1992 several breeding groups combined their herds and released them at several sites in Mongolia. <\/p>\n

Features<\/h3>\n

Average height 12 – 14 hands<\/p>\n

Physique<\/h3>\n

Head is large and heavy with a straight profile
\nEyes are large and heavy
\nEyes are small
\nNeck is broad and short with a short, upright mane
\nBack is straight and long
\nChest is deep
\nShoulder is straight and short
\nLegs are short and sturdy
\nHooves are narrow and elongated
\nTail has a tuft at the end<\/p>\n

Traditional Colors<\/h3>\n

Dun<\/a> with primitive markings<\/p>\n

Temperament<\/h3>\n

Spirited & for the most part ‘untamable’ (similar to zebras in temperament). <\/p>\n

Helpful Links<\/h3>\n

* all links open in a new window<\/small>
\nFoundation for the Preservation & Protection of the Przewalski Horse<\/a>
\nNational Geographic: Przewalski’s Horse<\/a>
\nWorld Wildlife Federation Adopt a Przewalski Horse program<\/a><\/p>\n

More Images<\/h3>\n
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\n\"Przewalski's\n<\/div>\n
\n\"Przewalski's\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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\n\"Przewalski's\n<\/div>\n
\n\"Przewalski's\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Video<\/h3>\n