Karabair

Karabair
Karabair on an Azerbaijani stamp
Conservation statusFAO (2007): not at risk:136
Other names
Country of origin
  • Kazakhstan
  • Tajikistan
  • Uzbekistan
Distribution
  • Uzbekistan
  • northern Tajikistan
Traits
Height
  • Male:
    156 cm:291
  • Female:
    151 cm:291

The Karabair (Uzbek: Qorabayir, Kazakh: Qarabaıyr; Tajik: қаробоҳирӣ, Ķaroboḩirī; Russian: Карабаирская) is a long-established horse breed from Central Asia, and particularly from Uzbekistan and northern Tajikistan.:290 It results from the cross-breeding of desert horses of Arabian or Turkmene type from the south with steppe horses from the north. It is a small, agile and versatile horse that can be used for riding or driving.:84 It is well suited to local horse sports, and especially to the Uzbek national game, kokpar.:291 It is also used for meat and milk production; the milk may be made into kumis.

In 2003, a total population of 138,400 Karabair horses were reported by Uzbekistan.