Overview

The Caspian is a charismatic, intelligent and versatile little horse, which has survived throughout many centuries of turbulent history. Existing only in small numbers, the breed has now been recognised as holding an ancestral position in the history of the horse, in all probability preceding that of the Arab horse. Dating back to the second millennium BC, but thought to have been extinct for over 1,000 years, the Caspian was rediscovered in 1965 on the southern shores of the Caspian Sea. The tiny horses proved to be brilliant riding and show jumping mounts for children and small adults, and elegant driving horses. The intervention of HRH Prince Phillip and the persistence of a handful of breeders in the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand, ensured that, by the time of the Iranian Revolution, sufficient bloodlines to maintain the breed existed outside Iran. The new regime has now accepted the Caspian as a national treasure and built up a breeding herd in Iran, where remnant feral stock are now sought and nurtured. Since 1994 demand from the United States has boosted breeding numbers, which should ensure the future of the breed. Caspians now also exist in France, Belgium, Norway and Sweden.

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Brenda Dalton has been involved with the Caspian horse since 1976 and owns the pre-revolution Iranian foundation mare, Shirine. She is a member of the Caspian Horse Society and has been a member of council and registrar to the society as well as publicity officer and editor of The Caspian magazine. Since 1989 she has been registrar to the International Caspian Stud Book during which time she has helped to establish the International Caspian Society. She is dedicated to the preservation of rare bloodlines.

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