Also Known By: Novokirgizskaya (Russian)

 

This breed was developed in the state and collective farms of Kirgiz by crossing local horses with the Don and the Thoroughbred.

 

New Kirgiz horses are well adapted to highland conditions. They are used for stock work and meat and milk production. They are short-legged and massive and they have a strong constitution. In type and conformation they closely resemble Don horses.

 

Average measurements of stallions (in cm) are: height at withers 156, body length 158, chest girth 188, the cannon bone girth 20.5. Mares' measurements are somewhat lower: 151,155, 180 and 19 respectively.

 

New Kirgiz horses have a medium-sized clean-cut head with low neck, well-defined withers, straight and level back and heavily muscled croup. The top-line is level. Legs are clean-cut with tendons well defined. Sickle-hocked legs often occur.

 

Three intra-breed types are recognized: saddle, thick and massive, standard.

 

New Kirgiz horses have performed well on hippodrome trails. The speed records of the breed are: 1600 m in 1 min 48 sec, 2400 m in 2 min 44.2 sec.

 

Massive type mares yield up to 20 kg of milk daily.

 

At present the breed numbers 56,650, including 10,700 purebreds.

 

References

Dmitriez, N.G. and Ernst, L.K. (1989) Animal Genetic Resources of the USSR. Animal Production and Health Paper Publ. by FAO, Rome, 517 pp.

 

Mason, I.L. 1996. A World Dictionary of Livestock Breeds, Types and Varieties. Fourth Edition. C.A.B International. 273 pp.