What Are The Rarest Horses in The World? Check These Amazing Creatures Out Before They Disappear For Good
Dec 28, 2024 | Super Equestrian
Horses are majestic, elegant, and sometimes almost mythical. There are so many different horses, some of them are common and some are rare, and each has its own story. One summer day at the ranch, I started wondering,” What are the rarest horses in the world?’’
I was sitting on a fence and watching the horses eat. There were many, but my favorite was Athena, a chestnut mare with a white patch around her eye. She was calm and looked like a queen. But one day, she did something strange. She moved her front paws in circles on the ground, like she was doing a curious dance. This made me think about how unique each horse is. Inspired by Athena’s behavior, I started learning about rare horses. I found out that being rare is not just about numbers. It’s about their history, uniqueness, and special qualities.
So, if someone asks you, “What is the rarest horse in the world?’’ you will know it’s not just a question, but a gateway to a fascinating journey into the rare and beautiful.
What makes some horse breeds rare?
The population size of rare horse breeds is very small and can not be easily found. And they are well known in their place of origin. Despite having some special characteristics, most equestrian lovers do not know about them. And they set themselves apart from other well-known horse breeds. Their number is decreasing day by day, due to not arranging sufficient breeding programs. They are losing their habitat due to not getting enough care. Plus modernization of technologies is another factor that influences their disappearance.
Which horses are the rarest in the world?
In ancient times, there were some popular horses used to stay with people and help them in different types of work. However, many horse breeds are getting endangered today and going to disappear soon.
- Akhal Teke Horse: These horse breeds are similar to golden or bronze statues as their fur looks like shiny metal. In Turkmenistan, this horse is called “the golden horse” because they consider it their national horse. This breed was developed to survive in the desert area of Central Asia. Nomads used these horses to travel long distances. These breeds are already becoming rare, but their numbers are at risk due to inbreeding.
- The Suffolk Punch Horse: These horse breeds were well known for their gentle temperament and impressive strength. They became popular before the First World War. Due to having powerful legs and muscles, these horses were used to carry heavy loads. They were good at farming or agricultural work as well. Although most Suffolk Punch breeds have disappeared, some horses of this breed are still available. Those breeds are mainly used for historical displays and recreational driving.
- American Cream Horse: They have a unique appearance with yellowish-golden eyes and cream-colored coat. They were mainly used for agricultural work. But in the 20th century, farming turned into a more advanced form due to automated machines. So, the existence of such horse breeds becomes endangered.
- The Shire Horse: These horse breeds are well known for their strong bodies and calm nature. They have been used for various purposes like working in the field, collecting trash, pulling royal carriages, and serving in the military. In British culture, these horses are considered “working class heroes” due to their multidisciplinary activities. But nowadays these horses are getting endangered due to not protecting them properly. Equine experts have warned that these shire horse breeds may vanish from Britain completely if you do not take the necessary steps to protect them.
- The Hackney Horse: These horses gained popularity due to their athleticism and great speed. In the fourteenth century, they were considered as the symbol of wealth due to their expertise in pulling carriages. Later, they became popular in harness racing. However, when the racing requirements changed over time, the use of such breeds was reduced. Now most of them have become endangered, and only a few of them are remaining.
- The Marwari Horse: Marwari horses originated from India, and became popular for being loyal and brave on the battlefield. They are medium in size and have sturdy feet and hooves. Their flexible body structure makes them perfect for riding long distances. In the present, Marwari horses are used for breeding and personal enjoyment like travel and weddings. Nowadays, in battles, horses are not used anymore, and the number of such horses decreased significantly worldwide.
- American Bashkir Curly Horse: These horses have a unique history. They have a coat that does not cause any kind of allergic reaction. The texture of their fur changes with the season. In summer, their fur becomes straight and smooth with a slight wavy. But in winter, it becomes so curly and wavy. When the weather is too warm, they cut their mane and tail. This is an uncommon habit for them, which is different from other horses. They became popular for their gentle temperament, the spirit of willingness, greater endurance, and extraordinary thinking level.
- Falabella Horse: This is one of the purest miniature horses in the world which originated from Argentina. This horse is miniature in appearance but it does not have the characteristics of a pony. Despite its smaller size, it has significantly greater strength in comparison to other big-sized horses. It has fewer vertebrae and ribs than other horse breeds, which is similar to Arabian horses. In spite of having so much popularity, these horse breeds are getting endangered due to not getting proper care. Although they have a long lifespan, most of them are dying nowadays.
- Eriskay Pony: These ponies are the last native pony breeds that have originated in the western isles of Scotland. They are known for their gentle nature and expertise in various equestrian events, gaming, and skillful riding. Eriskay Ponies were common in this area of Scotland in the nineteenth century, but now they are at risk and getting endangered day by day. It was used in agricultural work to break down the surface of soil, which helps to expose and destroy the microbes remaining in the soil. In ancient times, these horses were mainly used to pull carts, carrying seaweed and peat in baskets. Sometimes it was used to take children to school. Due to the advancement of modern technology, transportation systems, and farming practices have improved a lot. Then, people started using larger horses to plow the land. In some remote areas, larger horses were difficult to introduce. As a consequence, there are a few Eriskay ponies left there and most of them are endangered.
- Boulonnais Horse: These horses originated in France and are recognized for their robust body with heavy muscles. In ancient times, the larger Bourbonnais horses were used for heavy labor and farming. Small Bourbonnais horses were used to pull carts and transport fresh fish from Boulogne town to Paris. Due to their strength and endurance, they were used as war horses. They were called the “white marble horse” due to their heavy, elegant, and sturdy appearance. In ancient times, these horses were used to be imported from France to the United States due to their huge popularity in the equestrian community. After the Second World War, these draft horses almost disappeared from the world. A few of them are left in France. According to the research outcome, these horses are disappearing due to the risk of inbreeding.
How can you help protect rare horses?
If you want to ensure these magnificent creatures don't disappear, you must ensure adequate care for them.
- Understanding rarity: Rare horses are unique and special. You must ensure proper care of them in order to avoid their extinction as many of them have already disappeared from the world.
- Inbreeding: Breeding with closely related horses is very important to protect their existence.
- Ensuring special care: Each and every rare horse has its specific needs. You must learn about their particular requirements and start caring for your horse breed by the appropriate arrangement of facilities.
- Taking expert guidance: Seek advice from equestrian experts to ensure proper horse care. They will guide you on horse grooming, choosing healthy foods for your horse, and providing the necessary training and exercises.
- Creating emotional connection: You have to spend a lot of time with the horse breed and try to understand its feelings and needs. You must take the responsibility to create a strong bond with the rare breed. Use the breed as your regular riding companion.
To sum up
In spite of having necessary laws and sufficient efforts to protect the rare horse breeds, most of them are still having a hard time surviving. If you want to protect these rare breeds in the world, share our discussion with others and make everyone think about the importance of horses in their life.
So, what are you thinking about these rare breeds? Let us know by leaving a comment here. If you have any questions about the rare horse breeds, you can ask us through comment. We will try to respond to you as soon as possible.
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