Tuva horse

The Tuva (Russian: Тувинская, Touvinskaïa) is a breed of small saddle horses native to the Tuva region of Russia. Classified among the "Siberian pony" family, it proves to be much closer to the Mongolian horse, having lived relatively isolated from other Asian and Eastern European horses. It has long been ridden by the nomadic horse riders of its region, for breeding and hunting. At the end of the 19th century, mineral extraction led to the import of draft horses and saddles, giving rise through crossbreeding to the Upper Yenisei horse (Russian: Verkhne-ienisseïskaïa), now very rare, and the Tuva carriage horse (Russian: Touvinskaïa oupriajnaïa), now extinct.

The Tuva horse has an elongated body and thick manes, and most often wears classic coats such as bay and chestnut. Particularly robust and hardy, they are bred for saddle, meat and mare milk. It is practically unknown outside its native region.