The Nearly Extinct Karabakh Horse Is Back in the Spotlight in Germany

Karabakh horse, a rare horse from the Caucasus region, is once again attracting attention in Europe. In Germany, trainers and conservationists are working with Azerbaijan to maintain the lineage of the horse that was once almost lost.

Quoting a report from Euronews, Wednesday, May 13, the Karabakh horse is known for its endurance, intelligence, and fur with a golden sheen. This breed has evolved for centuries in the Caucasus mountains, where horses must be strong, agile, and stable in heavy terrain.

"Collaboration between European horse specialists and breeders from the horse's region of origin is very important," said horse trainer Philip Hager, who trains young Karabakh horses in Germany.

According to Hager, Karabakh horses have a strong instinct in the mountains.

"The Karabakh horse is a type of horse that can take you across the mountains and bring you home safely," he said.

However, the history of this breed has not always been smooth. In the 20th century, the number of pure Karabakh horses fell sharply due to war, economic disruption, and uncontrolled crossbreeding.

The first Nagorno-Karabakh War caused massive damage. The breeding infrastructure in Aghdam was destroyed. A number of important bloodlines were lost.

According to the FAO's domestic animal diversity data system, the Karabakh horse is a breed at risk. Its population is small and scattered in several places. This condition makes coordinated conservation important to prevent the loss of genetic diversity.

In Germany, the preservation of this breed is supported by Verena Scholian. In 1990, he identified a horse named Inturist as a Karabakh stallion from Azerbaijan. Since then, he has dedicated himself to maintaining the breed in Europe.

"If we are not careful, the Karabakh breed could disappear and that would be a tragedy. These horses are really jewels," Scholian was quoted as saying by Euronews. He then founded the association IG Karabakh and Eurasian Horse Breeds, which focuses on documentation, controlled breeding, and genetic monitoring.

Azerbaijan has also been running a recovery program since the early 2000s. The program includes pedigree recording, selective breeding, and animal health surveillance. The Aghdam Horse Breeding Complex is one of the centers for the recovery of the Karabakh lineage.

The Karabakh horse is relatively small, with a height of about 1.4 to 1.5 meters. However, its body is strong and athletic. Its temperament is calm. Its most distinctive feature is a reddish brown or bay coat with a golden sheen.

Now, the Karabakh horse is not just a matter of breeding. This breed is part of the cultural identity of Azerbaijan and the Caucasian equestrian heritage that is trying to be saved.