There are over 350 breeds of horses on the planet – that is a ton of new prospects to choose from. We are all familiar with the well-known breeds like the most versatile Quarter Horse and the majestic Friesian, but did you know about these rarest horse breeds?
A curly coat makes the Bashkir Curly horse absolutely adorable and one of the rarest breeds of American descent. The origin of the breed remains a mystery. The breed was first found in 1868 in Nevada when Peter Damele was horseback riding in the Peter Hanson Mountain Range with his father. The two came across three horses with a distinct curly hair coat. Not knowing where the horses came from, it was thought that they were of Russian descent, related to the ancient Bashkir breed. Researches proved that theory wrong by determining that the actual Russian breed with the distinct coat is the Lokai horse. It is believed that the American Bashkir Curly was named after a cartoon by the Damele family, “As Strange as it Seems.”
Akhal – Teke
Mostly known for their exotic metallic-looking coat, the Akhal- Teke is one of the rarest horse breeds originating in Turkmenistan. These horses were used in war and for racing because of their outstanding stamina and perfect gaits throughout the dessert. Adored by the people that owned them, Akhal – Teke horses are known for bonding with their owners but being a more sensitive breed. If treated wrongly, they would become resentful and stubborn.
With a name that can become a tongue twister if said 5 times fast, the rare Manalarga Marchador is a rare breed native of Brazil. The Marchador is the most sought-after horse in Brazil, these horses are used a lot to work cattle. The gait is fast, smooth and triple support verified. They do not trot or pace, instead, these horse transitions into a smooth march. No other horses have been bred into the Marchador, keeping the breed pure.
Black Forest Horse
Stocky, gentle and beautiful, the Black Forest Horse is a rare draft from the Black Forest of Germany. Used mostly in farming, numbers of these rare drafts declined once machinery was introduced for farming; in the 1980s there were only a few stallions and 160 registered mares. The breed is over 600 years old and can mostly be found in Chestnut coloring with long flaxen mane and tails.
Ancient and rare, the Sorraia is a native to the Iberian Peninsula. It is thought that Sorraia horses are the oldest indigenous horses that roamed wild in the area. These horses are so old that cave pictures have been found resembling the breed. They are a durable and intelligent breed with a grulla color. Today, there are a couple of breeders working to preserve the breed.
There are many breeds that we are not familiar with and are rare over the world. Each of these rarest horse breeds comes with their own story and value that people who adore them are trying to preserve.
About the Author
Dani Buckley is a small-town resident in Montana. She is a veterinary technician manager and mom of eight four-legged kids – 5 dogs, 1 cat, and 2 horses. When she moved back home to Montana, her horses and her dogs moved with her (Carbon and Milo). The pack grew by three when she moved in with her boyfriend, Cody. Altogether there is a German Shepard (Lupay), a Border Collie (Missy), a Blue Heeler (Taz) and her two adorable mutts.
Her horses are her free time passion – Squaw and Tulsa. Dani has owned Squaw for 17 years and this mare has made 2 trips across the country with Dani! Squaw is a retired rodeo and cow horse. Her other mare, Tulsa, is an upcoming ranch horse. The girls have an unmatched personality and bond with Dani. She has been around horses her entire life and rodeoed throughout highschool and beyond. Now, she enjoys riding on the ranch, working cattle and trail riding.