MCC Farms

Caspian Horses

The Caspian Horse was believed to be pets of the Royal families of Persia (now called Iran.)  King Darius would use these brave and agile horses to pull his chariots in public demonstrations of battling lions, to prove his strength as a leader.  He valued his little horses so much that they were engraved on his Royal Seal in 550 B.C. 

The Caspian Horse was known by different names in ancient Persia, such as Lydian, Moulecki, Pouseki or Pumpelli horse and was last shown in 224 A.D. on a rock relief of King Ardashir where he is mounted on a horse so small that the King's feet are almost touching the ground.

Then came a great war in 637 A.D.  This was the last recorded sighting of these fine purebred horses, the Royal court of Persia was destroyed and the Caspian horses were lost, until one day......

An American named Louise Firouz opened a riding school for children in Iran.  In 1965 she began searching the villages nearby to find horses suitable for her students.  She was surprised to find a herd of small refined horses running wild in an area near the Caspian Sea.

She immediately realized these were the same horses that were pictured on the ancient Persian palace of Persepolis.  Although there were less than thirty, this was the lost breed - still alive, 1300 years after they were supposed to have vanished. 

After capturing several of them, she returned to her riding school.  The horses were quick to learn and soon became special friends and companions to the children.  These remarkably kind and gentle horses were named Caspian, for the area in which they had been found. 

Extensive research was conducted and the horses were tested by scientists to confirm that they were the "lost breed". 

Hopstone Bonafsheh meets the Queen

Louise was intent on saving them from extinction, and began carefully collecting and breeding only the purest Caspian horses.  Political problems in Iran were threatening the survival of the breed, so Louise decided to get some of the horses out of Iran before they vanished again.  In 1971 Prince Phillip wanted to help, he imported three Caspians from Iran into his stable at the Royal Palace in England. 

Between 1971 and 1976, nine stallions and seventeen mares were imported to Europe. 

These horses and their offspring had been saved from the tragedies that happened to most of the horses left behind in Iran.  In 1993, Louise was able to get seven more Caspians to England. 

With the thoughtful care and concern from their English owners, the Caspian horses flourished and their number increased.  Some of these horses were exported to Australia and New Zealand to start breeding programs. 

Due to the unending dedication and love for the unique Caspian horse by the owners and breeders from Iran, Australia, United Kingdom, and New Zealand, this marvelous horse became available for transport to the united States. 

Between 1994 and 2002 many members of The Caspian Horse Society of the Americas have imported into the United States 146 of the finest Caspian horses available in the world, and have produced 216 foals of extraordinary quality.

Although the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy has listed the Caspian horse as a 'Critical Rare Breed", this regal horse is slowly but surely being restored to it's former honored place among the noblest of horses. 

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The Caspian Performance Horse

• The Caspian horse is pony size (10-12 hands high) but is in fact a purebred horse.  The genetic testing of blood-type and bone structure conclude that the Caspian is a forerunner to the hot-blooded horses of today.  It exhibits the fine build of the Thoroughbred and the beauty and endurance of the Arabian.  The breed has prepotent genes for smooth movement, quiet temperament, and extreme athleticism.

• The Caspian breed is known to be incredibly versatile.  They are natural jumpers and are            especially suited for children, because their conformation, gaits and temperament is like that of small horses, rather than a pony.

• The Caspian is also well suited to be an elegant harness horse.  Their acceleration, maneuverability, endurance and intelligence bring them considerable success in the show ring.

Caspian Horse Breed Type and Standard

• The eyes of the Caspian are almond shaped, large, dark, set low and prominent, a graceful neck, supple with a fine throat latch. 

• The head possesses a vaulted forehead, slight concave appearance to the face, prominent cheek bones and large nostrils set low on a fine muzzle.  The ears are short and turned in.

• The body is slim with a deep girth, close coupled, with well defined hind quarters.  Long sloping shoulders, slender limbs with dense flat bones.

• The hooves are oval shape, with an extremely strong wall and sole.  These horse are rarely shod even under the most extreme conditions.

• The Caspian horse has a silky, fine coat often with an iridescent sheen in the summer, the mane and tail grow uniquely long and silky.

• The colors that are prominent are bay, gray, chestnut and occasionally black.  Grays can go through many shades of roan before maturity.

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The Caspian horse society of the americas

The Caspian Horse Society of the Americas was incorporated in 1994 to preserve and promote the Caspian horse breed and to maintain a Purebred and Partbred permanent registry devoted to the interest of the Caspian horse in the Western Hemisphere.  The CHSA is an approved member of the International Caspian Society.

To join the excitement and keep updated on the news concerning the Caspian horse, you may join CHSA.  Please contact the Registrar for more information.

Don Scroggins, President

Mary Harrison, Vice President

Linda Pryor, Secretary

Joyce Covington, Treasurer

Misty Acton, Registrar

Linda Patton, Editor of CHSA News (a monthly newsletter for all members)

www.caspian.org

The CHSA will hold the annual meeting in the Fall. More details when the place and date are finalized. The meeting will be held in Texas. Everyone is welcome to attend!!

The International Caspian Society will hold the International meeting in England August 11 - 13, 2004. More details and contacts to follow.

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Brenda Dalton's hard back book, now available in the US. Just send $25 to Joyce Covington at the  address listed below. This price includes shipping. Also available, the new paperback Caspian Horse book, also by Brenda Dalton. Totally different pictures and beautifully written, both are priceless to the Caspian lover. Paperback book is $15 including shipping.

Please make checks payable to:

                                                    Joyce Covington

                                                    6109 FM 390 North

                                                    Brenham, Texas 77833   USA

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MCC Farms