Exotic Horse Breed Standards
The Akhal-Teke
The Akhal-Teke originates from the Turkmene horse, with their name coming from the Teke tribe from the Akhal oasis, a desert region in Turkmenistan. Due to their desert climate, the Akhal-Teke bred was forced to adapt to the harshness of the region including extremes of hot and cold, limited food, and scarce water, making them a very resilient breed. Today, Akhal-Tekes are gaining popularity and can be found all over the world, but are still considered a rare breed.
Uses They can be used as a competitive sport horse in traditional English disciplines, and do well in flat racing as well.
Height 14.3-16.0hh
Conformation Medium in size with a long back, sloping shoulders and long legs. The head is long, narrow and refined, with long ears and a slim neck.
Colors All solid colors are allowed, including dilutes. Rabicano and sabino are also accepted. The breed is also known for their metallic sheen, which is desirable but not required.
Uses They can be used as a competitive sport horse in traditional English disciplines, and do well in flat racing as well.
Height 14.3-16.0hh
Conformation Medium in size with a long back, sloping shoulders and long legs. The head is long, narrow and refined, with long ears and a slim neck.
Colors All solid colors are allowed, including dilutes. Rabicano and sabino are also accepted. The breed is also known for their metallic sheen, which is desirable but not required.
The Nez Perce
This breed is the cross between an Akhal-Teke and an appaloosa. Like the Teke tribe, the Nez Perce tribe, hold a great reverence for their horses. In 1877, the Nez Perce tribe was ordered by the US Army to leave their home and relocate to a small reservation in Idaho. The Nez Perce tried to flee, but were soon caught after a battle in Montana. Their war-horses, bred over generations, were either scattered or taken and the breed disappeared. It is the belief that the Nez Perce war horses resembled thoroughbreds more closely than the stocky form of today's appaloosa. In 1995, a registry was created for the newly defined Nez Perce horse. A farm donated four Akhal-Teke stallions to be bred with 33 appaloosa mares. This was the beginning of a breeding program with a goal of creating the lost war horses of the Nez Perce tribe. The Akhal-Teke was chosen because many believed it to be very similar to the first Spanish horses that were introduced to the Americas. Most show the lean and elegant body of the Akal-Teke and the colouration of the appaloosa. Like the breeds of origin, the Nez Perce horse is highly intelligent, sensitive, and curious. Horses with more than 7/8 appaloosa blood or 7/8 Akhal-Teke blood are not eligible for registration.
Uses Western and English disciplines; pleasure mount
Height 14.1-16.2hh
Conformation The neck should be set properly and of significant length. Withers should be pronounced clearly and visible, the shoulder should be long and sloping and the back should be medium length. The croup should be long, muscular and of oval shape. A deep and wide rib cage should be connected to a substantial frame, representing a horizontal rectangle with large joints.
Colors Any base color with any appaloosa pattern; solid horses not accepted as foundation, but may be accepted if sire and dam are registered.
Uses Western and English disciplines; pleasure mount
Height 14.1-16.2hh
Conformation The neck should be set properly and of significant length. Withers should be pronounced clearly and visible, the shoulder should be long and sloping and the back should be medium length. The croup should be long, muscular and of oval shape. A deep and wide rib cage should be connected to a substantial frame, representing a horizontal rectangle with large joints.
Colors Any base color with any appaloosa pattern; solid horses not accepted as foundation, but may be accepted if sire and dam are registered.
The Karabakh
The Karabakh is a breed from Azerbaijan with clear Akhal-Teke influence. Like all mountain breeds, the Karabakh is very surefooted and is able to travel at great speed over rough terrain. They are seemingly resistant to disease. They are noted for a good temperament and speed as well as loyalty to their owner akin to the “one-master” personality of the Akhal-Teke. The Karabakh was highly influential in shaping the Russian Don breed.
Uses Flat and stamina racing
Height 14.0-15.0hh
Conformation The Karabakh has compact bodies with well-defined and developed muscles. The shoulders are often set upright. The breed has a deep chest, and sloping croup. They have a small, clean-cut head, straight profile with broad foreheads, and wide, nostrils. The neck is set high, average in length, muscular and elegant. They are sure-footed with long, fine, but very strong legs.
Colors Chestnut and Bay most common; gray less frequent; buckskin and palomino rare; has characteristic "golden tint" to coat
Uses Flat and stamina racing
Height 14.0-15.0hh
Conformation The Karabakh has compact bodies with well-defined and developed muscles. The shoulders are often set upright. The breed has a deep chest, and sloping croup. They have a small, clean-cut head, straight profile with broad foreheads, and wide, nostrils. The neck is set high, average in length, muscular and elegant. They are sure-footed with long, fine, but very strong legs.
Colors Chestnut and Bay most common; gray less frequent; buckskin and palomino rare; has characteristic "golden tint" to coat
The Deliboz
The Deliboz is a strange horse originating from Azerbaijan, and is known for its peculiar lengthwise fold on the tongue, giving the impression that the tongue is forked. It is noted for an unstable and unpredictable temperament; they can be very aggressive toward handlers or other horses. Most members of the breed have a rack (or pace) gait. They are a small breed, but are very strong and adapted to carrying a rider in high altitudes.
Uses Saddle Horse, light draft work, driving
Height 14.0-15.0hh; avg. 14.2hh
Conformation Compact and well-muscled build, with unusually long legs. They have a massive, ribbed body and even back. The breed has a clean, short head with a broad forehead and narrow nose that sets on top a compact heavy neck.
Colors Predominantly gray; but may also be bay
Uses Saddle Horse, light draft work, driving
Height 14.0-15.0hh; avg. 14.2hh
Conformation Compact and well-muscled build, with unusually long legs. They have a massive, ribbed body and even back. The breed has a clean, short head with a broad forehead and narrow nose that sets on top a compact heavy neck.
Colors Predominantly gray; but may also be bay
The Barb
Originating in North Africa, these horses may also be referred to as “Spanish Barb.” This name is a misnomer as the breed’s popularity in Spain is a result of Spanish occupation of the African region during the 15th century. The Barb was fundamental in creation and enhancement of other popular Spanish breeds such as the Andalusian and Lusitano.
Uses The Barb does very well as a general riding horse, as a military horse, in competitions and in agricultural work.
Height 14.2 to 15.2 hands on average.
Conformation Powerful physique with an arched neck, refined head with a straight profile, and slender legs.
Colors All colors except for appaloosa patterns are accepted.
The Kiso
The Kiso horse has inhabited Japan for centuries and has been used for farm work, transportation, and military mounts. The exact origins of the Kiso are unknown like many Japanese breeds. The breed's name comes from the Kiso river that runs through the area where they are thought to have originated. They are thought to be related to the Mongolian horse. Others have drawn connection to the Tarpan. Subsequent wars in the region have depleted the number of pure bred Kiso horses.
Uses Light draft work, military exercises, agricultural work, general riding, endurance.
Height 12hh-13hh
Conformation The breed has a heavy head with a short, thick neck. The legs are short and sturdy with strong hooves.
Colors Bay, Chestnut and Gray; little to no white markings. Pamgare (mealy) and 'wild bay' are fairly common. The presence of dorsal stripe considered a sign of pure breeding.
Uses Light draft work, military exercises, agricultural work, general riding, endurance.
Height 12hh-13hh
Conformation The breed has a heavy head with a short, thick neck. The legs are short and sturdy with strong hooves.
Colors Bay, Chestnut and Gray; little to no white markings. Pamgare (mealy) and 'wild bay' are fairly common. The presence of dorsal stripe considered a sign of pure breeding.
Credit to equus-sims for the breed standards