Discover the history of this ancient horse breed thought to be extinct for over 1000 years. The breed is growing worldwide since its rediscovery in 1965, despite several setbacks.
Although the Caspian looks like a miniature Arabian and stands only 13 hands, the unique breed is technically classified as a horse based on its gait and proportions. It is perhaps one of the oldest breeds in the world, with evidence dating back almost 5,000 years.
Research and testing places the Caspian as a forerunner to Persia's native wild horses. They are featured in carvings at the ancient capital of the Persian Empire and on the seal of King Darius from 550 B.C. However, the breed was last mentioned in ancient writings from about 600 A.D. It vanished from history following the Moslem conquest of Persia, which occurred in 627 A.D. For the next 1300 years, the Caspian was thought to be extinct.
In 1965, an American woman's search for appropriate mounts for the children at her riding school brought her to rediscover the breed. The quest began when Louise Firouz returned with her husband to his native country of Iran in 1957. The founded the Norouzabad Equestrian Center to teach riding to the Iranian children. However, some of the smaller riders had difficulty with the larger horses. Rumors of very small horses led Louise to travel to some of the remote villages above the Caspian Sea.
In a mountainous area near Mt. Damavand, Louise came across a scattered herd of about 30 wild horses - undernourished and misused by mountain villagers who also used them for meat occasionally. Louis recognized the horses from the pictures on the walls of the ancient palace of Persepolis.
Naming them Caspians, Louise rescued three horses on her first trip, then went on to purchase seven mares and six stallions to form a Caspian breeding center. Her efforts met with problems along the way, however. In 1974, the herd was taken over by the Royal Horse Society (RHS) of Iran. She was forced to close her second center in 1975 when the RHS banned all Caspian exports and took the remaining herd.
Louise prevailed nonetheless, and developed another breeding center. Today, she also helps manage small herds of Caspians owned by the Ministry of Jehad and a German businessman.
In The Encyclopedia of the Horse, Elwyn Hartley Edwards wrote, "The discovery of the Capsian, a breed of very great antiquity, was a matter of the greatest scientific and historical importance in equine studies."
The Caspain breed has been part of royalty throughout history. Prince Philip was responsible for the exportation of several small shipments to Great Britain before the Iranian Revolution. He and Princess Anne were reportedly impressed with 5-year-olds racing Caspian stallions when they visited Iran in 1971, and the Shah gave them two Caspians as a gift.
The first Caspian was brought to the United States in 1966, but breeding of pureblood Caspians did not take place here until 1994 when a herd was imported to Texas.
Although the breed continues to grow, it is currently listed on the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy list as a "critically endangered breed". Only about 600 exist throughout the world. Caspian Societies can be found in Britain, Australia, New Zealand and the United States.
Caspians are very fast learners and are both intelligent and courageous. They adapt well to many situations, and are often chosen for children to ride because of their narrow build. Another plus for children is that they are quiet and docile.
They come in chestnut, bay, and gray for the most part, but can be found in black or buckskin as well. Their coats are fine and silky, but become very dense in winter. This trait makes them very adaptable to changing climates.
The Caspian's skull shows a more pronounced elevation of the interparietal bones than other horse breeds. Other characteristics include a wider scapula, long, slim metacarpal and matatarsal bones in comparison with height, longer thoracic vertebra, a narrow, oval hoof that is unusually strong and a less pronounced frog.
Caspians have small heads with tapering muzzles, large eyes and short, delicate ears.
Known for their deer-like movements of agility, Caspians are excellent jumpers. According to Texana Farms, a Caspian breeding farm in Houston, Texas, "Their remarkable endurance, fluid movement, natural jumping abilities, kind and willing temperament make them an all-around superb athlete, excelling both under saddle and under harness. Standing only 11 - 12 hands average, the Caspian is small enough to be easily handled by the youngest child or the most inexperienced adult."
Photos of Caspians often give the illusion of a much larger horse. Texana Farms describes them this way, "Close your eyes and visualize an Arabian horse: delicate head with the classic dished-face, protruding eyes and wide flaring nostrils, silky mane and tail flowing as he glides past with a floating action, head and tail held high - poetry in motion. Now imaging that same horse in a pony size, but even more exquisitely refined and elegant. Behold! Caspian."
