The Caspian Horse was believed to be pets of the Royal family of Persia. King Darius would use these brave and agile horses to pull chariots in public demonstrations of battling lions, to prove his strength as a leader. He valued his little horses so much that they were engraved on his Royal Seal in 550 B.C.

The Caspian Horse was known by different names in ancient Persia, such as Lydian, Moulecki, Pouseki or Pumpelli horse.The Caspian Horse was last known in 224 A.D. on a rock relief of King Ardashir where he is mounted on a horse so small the King’s feet are almost touching the ground.

Then came a great war in 637 A.D. This was the last recorded sighting of these fine purebred horses, the Royal court of Persia was destroyed, and the Caspian horses were thought to be extinct, until, one day… Louise Firouz, a Washington graduate of Cornell University where she studied animal husbandry among other disciplines. She married Narcy Firouz, an Iranian and is now occupied in farming and breeding horses. In 1965 Louise Firouz began searching for a pony that her children could ride. She 'discovered' the stallion Ostad* pulling a heavy cart in Amol. Louise purchased him. Ostad was the first Caspian to be re-discovered. Two more, Aseman* (another stallion) and Alamara* (a mare) joined Ostad*at Louise's farm.

Ostad - First Caspian Horse Louise Firouz Discovered

She found them excellent mounts for her children, and this began her ongoing search for more Caspian’s. They were often found to be in very bad condition, with lice, fleas, ill, covered in sores and working under very heavy loads. Their recovery was slow but they improved under her care. Eventually the breeding program began. More Caspian’s were located in the Alborz Mountains and on the shores of the Caspian Sea.

Louise Firouz With Our Stallion - Henden Trojan and Photo of Louise

Louise Firouz researched the origins of the Caspian horse. She recalled seeing them in the reliefs at the ancient palace of King Darius the Great at Persepolis. There was no doubt that they were one and the same. Extensive research was conducted and the horses were tested by scientists to confirm that they were the "lost breed" Louise was intent on saving them from certain extinction, and began carefully collecting and breeding only the purest Caspian horses. Political problems in Persia were threatening the survival of the breed, so Louise decided to get some of the horses out before they vanished again. In 1971 Prince Philip wanted to help, he imported two Caspians from Iran into his stable at the Royal Palace in England. Between 1971 and 1976, nine stallions and seventeen mares were imported to Europe.

These horses and their offspring had been saved from the tragedies that happened to most of the Caspians left behind in Iran. In 1993, Louise was able to get seven more Caspians into England. With the thoughtful care and concern from their English owners, including Prince Phillip, the Caspian horses flourished and their numbers increased.

Queen Elizabeth Presenting at a UK Caspian Show & Prince Phillip

Some of these horses were exported to Australia and New Zealand to start breeding programs. The first Caspians to enter the US appeared in 1994, and although the American Livestock Breed Conservancy has listed the Caspian Horse as a "Critical Rare breed", this regal little horse is slowly being restored to its former honored place among the noblest of horses. The Caspian population in the US in 2007 is estimated at around 300 purebreds, total world population under 900.

A survey conducted from July of 1965 through August 1968 to determine the range and approximate number of remaining Caspians. The survey indicated that there were approximately fifty small horses with definite Caspian characteristics along the entire littoral of the Caspian Sea.

The Caspian is very versatile and is becoming known in the show ring with its exceptional jumping ability. The driving poweress that endeared it to Darius the Great still makes this horse a favorite in harness.

These unique horses are believed to be the oldest living breed in the world. There is geological evidence that they date back to 3000 years BC from bones discovered in geological digs. They are the direct descendants of the pre historic species of horse that occupied the Kerman-shah area, where the present time Caspian area is today.

Chronology of the Caspian Horse

3000bc. Evidence of the existence of Caspian type horses

500bc Horses of Caspian type on King Darius the Great's seal

1965 Caspian Stallion Ostad* found in Amol, Iran

1971 Stallion and mare presented to HRH. Prince Philip. UK.

1974 Caspian Stallion Ruba 11 won Supreme Champion Pony at the third Salon de Cheval in Paris, France.

1975 First shipment to Australia went to Victoria and was used for breeding part breds Ruba11 (Stallion). Alouchen (Mare) Gulpar (Mare) Susiana (Mare) and laterAmu Daria (Stallion)

1980 Iran-Iraq war. 10-year ban on people keeping over one horse.

1990 Research began by Gus Cothran, Kentucky University

1994/95 Sale of stock from Australia to USA

1996 Death of Iranian mare Gulpar (Australia)

1998/99 Sale of stock from Australia to the USA

1999 1st international gathering of Caspian owners held in Brenham, Texas USA.

In 1965 the rediscovery of a species of unique miniature horse thought to have lived in 3000bc fired the imagination and curiosity of Iran. Only some thirty-five or so animals were found, all concentrated in a remote region of Northern Iran, around the Caspian Sea. These horses were removed to the safety of a stud near Teheran and laboratory studies of their blood, skin and bones began. Detailed analysis showed that in spite of their small size they had the skeleton of a horse, and in all probability are the forerunners of most of the hot-blooded breeds of horse known today, including the Arabian, itself considered to be one of the oldest breeds. If not for the hard work by a small band of dedicated horse breeders, the Caspian horse would surely be extinct.

The Caspian Horse in America

The first Caspian to leave Iran was imported into the United States on April 15, 1966. Jehan was a beautiful 12 hand liver chestnut stallion, found in 1965 by Louise Firouz in the mountain province of Mazanderan in Iran. This lively 2 year old stallion spent the first year with Louise at her farm near Teheran being trained to ride and drive. Jehan’s trip to the United States involved a very long flight that included stops in Lebanon, Cyprus, Italy, Switzerland and England, finally to New York for sixty days of quarantine. Displaying the typical Caspian temperament, he remained calm and curious throughout the entire ordeal. He then traveled to his new home in Great Falls, Virginia to met his new lifelong owner and companion, Mrs. Kathleen McCormick. Jehan* participated in many exhibitions and shows throughout his long life. Although there were no purebred Caspian mares located in the United States for the continuation of his purebred line, he sired numerous partbred foals before his death at Sycamore Hill Farm, Lovettsville, Virginia in December of 1993.

Next to arrive in the United States was a yearling grey stallion, Mehregan, in 1973. Mehregan traveled from Iran to a farm for disadvantaged children in Connecticut. He spent his entire life devoted to the joy of the needy children who passed through this exceptional facility called the Green Chimney Farm. Unfortunately he passed away in the fall of 1994 before having the opportunity to sire any offspring.

The continuation of the Caspian survival saga occurred in May, 1994, when 2 stallions, Kineton Kalif and Runnymede Karamat and 5 mares, Mullacot Bathsheba, Mullacot Chestnut, Runnymede Beryl, Henden Shazee, and Shepton Terraneh were imported from the United Kingdom into the United States. This importation represents the first time that Caspian mares arrived in the United States to secure a purebred breeding program. Later that year stallions, Henden Hannibal, Darkhorse Siydeh and Darkhorse Siykander and mares, Mote Shalaby, Runnymede Camelia, Jandowae Shahsva, Darkhorse Tiram and Costessa Bellamira joined the new breeding program set up at the Monastery of St. Clare in Brenham, Texas. This exceptionally beautiful herd of Caspians represented the offspring of foundation lines imported from Iran to England in the early 1970’s.. In 1995 and 1996 ProtoArabian imported 23 more Caspians to further expand their breeding and sales program.

Between 1994 and 2002 many members of The Caspian Horse Society of the Americas have imported into the United States 146 of the finest Caspian horses available in the world, and have produced 216 foals of extraordinary quality. Although the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy has listed the Caspian horse as a 'Critical Rare Breed", this regal horse is slowly but surely being restored to it's former honored place among the noblest of horses.

Areas of Excellence

The Caspian is an ideal child's mount or for a small adult. In addition the calm temperament and eye-catching, attractive appearance command attention in the show ring.· These horses are extremely intelligent, gentle, friendly, quite easily trained, narrow for children to ride comfortably and willing workers.

Henden Trojan

Jumping: The Jumping ability of the Caspian can only be described as extraordinary, they have been known to jump as high as 5 foot with a teenager on their back.

DarkhorseSiydeh Jumping

Driving: The Caspian is graceful and energetic in harness, being far stronger than his appearance would suggest, his acceleration and manoeuverability are second to none.

Henden Trojan Driving at Kentucky Horse Park

Gymkhana: The well proportioned, compact Caspian excels at the sheer speed and turning ability required to compete successfully in many types of gymkhana event.

The Caspian temperament is gentle and even. They are good saddle horses for children, and when outgrown can be used as an excellent harness horse for older children or adults. They are good pony club mounts In Iran, the Caspian is used for riding, working in carts, hauling very heavy loads, working in the rice paddies and in races where they excel, because they are speedy and agile.Caspian’s can keep up with larger horses at all paces, often even at the gallop, as they have both speed and agility.

The Caspian Horse is Different

1. They have a bulging of the parietal bones known as a vaulted forehead when born.

2. They have an extra molar in place where the wolf teeth might appear in other breeds

3. Their shoulder blade is narrow at the top and wide at the base

4. The cannon bones are longer and slimmer

5. The first six vertebrae are longer than usual which gives the appearance of high withers and a flat back

6. Caspian hooves are narrow and oval in shape, hard and rarely need shoes except in instances of continual hard work.

7. The frog is less prominent in Caspian’s than in other horse breeds

8. Differences found in the hemoglobin of the Caspian Horse are 'quite unique'

Within the breed, there is a natural graduation from a larger, stronger type of Caspian to a smaller, daintier type. This variety in type is considered to be a sign of strength, not a weakness. The Caspian Horse is not a pony. It is a horse in miniature, growing to between 9 hands and 13 hands high.

Breed Type and Standard

General: The Caspian is a horse, not a pony, and therefore should be viewed in the same manner as judging a thoroughbred. The limbs, body and head should all be in proportion to each other. For shortened limbs or a head out of proportion are faults. The overall impression should be of a well-bred elegant horse in miniature.

Eyes - Almond shape, large, dark, set low and often prominent

Nostrils - Large, low set, finely chiselled, capable of considerable dilation during action

Ears - Short, wide apart, alert, finely drawn, often noticeable in-pricked at the tips

Head - Wide, vaulted forehead in most cases the parietal bones do not form a crest, but remain open to the occipal crest) Frontal bones should blend into nasal bone in a pleasing slope. The Caspian has very deep prominent cheekbones and good width between them where they join at the throat.

Head - Tapers to a fine, firm muzzle.

Neck - Long, supple neck with a finely modelled throat latch.

Shoulders & Withers - Long, sloping well modelled with good wither.

Body - Characteristically slim with deep girth. Chest width in proportion to width of body. It is a fault to have 'both legs out of the same hole'. Close coupled body, with well defined hindquarters and Good saddle space.

Quarters - Long and sloping from hip to point of buttocks. Great length from stifle to hock.

Hocks - Owing to their mountain origin, Caspian’s may have more angled hocks than lowland breeds.

Limbs - Characteristically slender with dense, flat bone and flat knees. Good slope to pasterns, neither upright nor over-sloping

Hooves - Both front and back are oval and neat with immensely strong wall and sole and very little frog

Coat & Skin - Skin thin, fine and supple, dark except under white markings. Coat silky and flat, often with an iridescent sheen in summer. Thick winter coat. Mane and tail abundant but fine and silky. Mane usually lies flat (as in thoroughbreds) but can grow to great lengths. Tail carried gaily in action. Limbs generally clean with little or no feathering at the fetlock.

Colours - All colours, except piebald or skewbald (pinto). Greys will go through many shades of roan before fading to near white at maturity.

Height - Varies with feeding, care and climate. Recorded specimens have ranged from under 10 hands to 13 hands.

Growth Rate - In the young is extremely rapid with the young Caspian making most of its height in the first 18 months, filling out with maturity.

Action/Performance - Natural floating action at all gaits. Long, low swinging trot with spectacular use of the Shoulder. Smooth, rocking canter, rapid flat gallop. Naturally light and agile paces with exceptional jumping ability.

Temperment - Highly intelligent and alert, but very kind and willing.