Azerbaijan's National Animal: Symbolism And Pride

Azerbaijan, a small Caucasian country located at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, has a rich cultural heritage and a diverse landscape. The country boasts a variety of national symbols, from its flag and anthem to its national animal, bird, and flower. Among these symbols, the Karabakh horse stands out as a majestic creature that embodies the spirit and pride of Azerbaijan. With a history dating back to the 16th century, the Karabakh horse is not just a symbol of national identity but also a testament to the country's cultural and natural heritage.

The national animal of Azerbaijan is the Karabakh horse

The Karabakh horse is an important symbol of Azerbaijani culture and heritage. It has been depicted in countless artistic renditions throughout history, including tapestries, paintings, stamps, and coins. The horse is known for its speed and agility, with trained specimens reaching speeds of up to 70 km per hour. This made it a valuable mode of transport and a trusted companion for farmers, soldiers, and participants in traditional equestrian games such as Chovkan.

The Karabakh horse is also known for its role in the acrobatic dances that have become a trademark of Azerbaijani culture. The breed is highly regarded for its contribution to the country's rich equestrian history and is considered a national treasure. The horses are believed to have descended from the cross-breeding of Akhal-teke, Persian, Kabardian, Turcoman, and Arab breeds.

Despite its long history and cultural significance, the Karabakh horse is now critically endangered. Political instability, conflict, and crossbreeding have all contributed to the decline in the population of purebred Karabakh horses. Conservation efforts are currently underway to protect and restore the breed, including the establishment of breeding programs and veterinary services, as well as a law prohibiting the sale of these horses to foreign agents.

Karabakh horses are considered one of the finest and oldest castes in the world

The Karabakh horse, a mountain-steppe breed native to the Southern Caucasus region, is the national animal of Azerbaijan. It is named after the geographic area where it was first developed, the Karabakh region, which is partly under Armenian control. With a distinctive golden tint to their chestnut or bay coats, these horses are considered one of the finest and oldest breeds in the world.

The Karabakh horse is thought to be a cross-breed of Akhal-Teke, Persian, Kabarda, Turkoman, and Arabian horses. The breed acquired its present characteristics during the 18th and 19th centuries, and its development was closely linked to the Akhal-Teke and Turkoman horses. The Karabakh horses are noted for their good temperament, agility, endurance, and speed. In 2004, a Karabakh horse named Kishmish from the Agdam stud farm in Azerbaijan set a speed record, running 1000 metres in 1 minute and 9 seconds, and 1600 metres in 1 minute and 52 seconds.

The Karabakh horse has great cultural importance for the people of Azerbaijan and is depicted in countless artistic renditions throughout history. It is the symbol of the Aghdam and Shaki regions and is featured on postage stamps and in literature. The breed is also known for its strength, beauty, intelligence, and inexhaustible energy. For the people of Azerbaijan, these horses served as a fast mode of transport, a source of livelihood, and an ally for farmers and soldiers. The Karabakh horse was also an integral part of the traditional Azerbaijani equestrian game, chovkan, and the acrobatic dances that have become a trademark of the country's culture.

Unfortunately, the Karabakh horse is now critically endangered, with fewer than 1,000 horses remaining, and only a few dozen purebred female horses. This status has been caused by division, war, military occupation, and political instability in the region, as well as crossbreeding. Conservation efforts are now being made to protect this ancient breed, with the Azerbaijani Minister of Agriculture establishing guidelines and laws to support the breeding of these horses and prohibit their sale to foreign agents.

The Karabakh horse is a symbol of the Aghdam region of Karabaj

The Karabakh horse is known for its temperament, speed, and endurance. In 2004, a Karabakh horse named Kishmish from the Agdam region ran 1,000 metres in 1 minute and 9 seconds and 1,600 metres in 1 minute and 52 seconds, setting two speed records. The breed is characterised by its small head, deep and wide chest, and well-developed muscles. They stand at an average height of 144-154 cm.

The Karabakh horse is also distinguished by its colour, which is typically chestnut or bay with a characteristic golden tint. This golden hue has been described as a "golden glow" and has been celebrated in art and literature throughout history. The breed is influenced by Persian, Akhal-Teke, Kabarda, Turkoman, and Arabian horses.

The Karabakh horse has been a faithful companion to the people of Azerbaijan for millennia and was particularly prized by the Karabakh khans. The breed experienced its golden age between the 18th and 19th centuries, gaining acclaim in Europe and Russia. However, its population has declined over the years due to wars, military occupation, and political instability in the region.

Today, the Karabakh horse is threatened by extinction, with fewer than 1,000 horses remaining. Conservation efforts are underway to protect this majestic creature, with breeding programs and laws prohibiting their sale to foreign agents while they are at risk. The Karabakh horse remains an enduring symbol of Azerbaijan's cultural heritage and a testament to the country's rich history with horses.

The Karabakh horse is a descendant of cross-breeding between Akhal-teke, Persian, Kabardian, Turcoman, and Arab breeds

The Karabakh horse is the national animal of Azerbaijan. It is an ancient mountain saddle breed, first developed in Nagorny Karabakh in Azerbaijan between the Araks and Kura rivers. The Karabakh horse is a descendant of cross-breeding between Akhal-Teke, Persian, Kabardian, Turcoman, and Arab breeds. The Arabian influence was the most pronounced, and there are important similarities in appearance between the Karabakh and the Arabian horse. The Karabakh horse is not large, but its build is clean and thick-set, with well-developed muscles and well-defined tendons. Its head is small and clean-cut, with a straight profile and alert eyes. The Karabakh horse is of great cultural importance for the people of Azerbaijan and is recognised for its strength, beauty, intelligence, mild temperament, and inexhaustible energy.

The Akhal-Teke is a Turkmen horse breed, native to the Central Asian steppes of what is now Turkmenistan. They have a reputation for speed and endurance, intelligence, and a distinctive metallic sheen. The breed is very similar to, and possibly a direct descendant of, the Turkoman horse, a breed believed to be extinct. The Akhal-Teke has been treasured throughout history for its endurance, personable nature, and unearthly grace. They are lean and elegant, with sweeping gaits and a free shoulder, often with a metallic coat and a hooded, almond-shaped eye.

The Persian influence on the Karabakh breed likely comes from the Nisean horse, the highly sought-after royal mounts of Persia. The Romans, Chinese, and Scythians are all believed to have fought and traded for these horses, which were known as "Heavenly Argamak". The ancient Persians were also renowned for their racing prowess, with King Xerxes beating the decorated horses of Thessalonia in 480 BCE.

The Kabardian horse, also known as the Circassian horse, is a breed from the North Caucasus region of Russia. They are known for their endurance, speed, and agility, as well as their good temperament. The Kabardian horse is well-adapted to the harsh mountain conditions of the region, with a sturdy build, strong hooves, and a thick coat.

The Turcoman horse, also known as the Turkoman or Turkmen horse, is an ancient breed from the Turkic tribes of the Middle Ages. They are known for their speed and endurance, as well as their distinctive metallic sheen, which earned them the nickname "Golden Horses". The Turcoman horse has influenced many other breeds, including modern warmbloods, and is believed to be an ancestor of the Thoroughbred.

The Arabian horse is one of the oldest breeds, originating in the Arabian Peninsula. They are known for their intelligence, endurance, and refined conformation. Arabian horses have a distinctive dish-shaped head, large eyes, and a high-set tail. They are highly prized for their beauty, athleticism, and good temperament, and have influenced many other breeds around the world.

The Karabakh horse is critically endangered

The Karabakh horse, the national animal of Azerbaijan, is critically endangered. This mountain-steppe breed, originating in the country's Karabakh region, is one of the world's finest and oldest, with a history dating back to the 16th century. Over the centuries, the Karabakh horse has been a symbol of the Aghdam region of Karabakh, a fast mode of transport, and a source of livelihood for the people of Azerbaijan.

The Karabakh horse is renowned for its strength, beauty, intelligence, mild temperament, and inexhaustible energy. It is a crossbreed of Akhal-Teke, Persian, Kabardin, Turkoman, and Arabian horses. The breed is characterised by its small stature, averaging between 145-150 centimetres, with a well-defined head, a straight profile, and a compact, muscular body. The main colours of the breed are chestnut and bay with a distinctive golden tint, though some are grey or have white spots.

The Karabakh horse experienced its Golden Age between the 18th and 19th centuries, receiving international acclaim and awards. However, it is during this period that the breed began to decline due to the Iranian-Russian war of 1826. The population continued to diminish in the 20th century due to civil and ethnic conflicts in the Caucasus and Karabakh regions. Today, the Nagorno-Karabakh war and crossbreeding have further reduced the population.

Currently, there are fewer than 1,000 Karabakh horses in existence, and the breed is threatened with extinction. Conservation efforts are underway, with Azerbaijan's Minister of Agriculture establishing guidelines and laws to protect the breed and support its breeding. These initiatives include veterinary services, training courses, and scientific studies to understand the DNA of the horses fully. Additionally, individuals like Yashar Guluzade are dedicated to restoring the breed in the Sheki hills, located about 300 kilometres from Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan.

Frequently asked questions