Borana

The Borana is an indigenous horse type of southern Ethiopia and adjacent pastoral country, named for the Borana Oromo people and their rangelands. It is a locally adapted working horse rather than a highly standardized international breed. Horses in this group are generally small to medium in size, hardy, and suited to travel across dry savanna and highland-edge environments where transport, herding, and social use matter more than specialized sport performance.

Borana horses are usually managed in smallholder or pastoral systems alongside cattle, goats, and other livestock. Seasonal grazing, water access, parasite pressure, and drought can shape their condition as much as genetics. For development or conservation work, the priority is often to document local strains and keep useful mares and stallions in the community, rather than replacing them with imported horses that may not tolerate the climate or management style.

Colors: Amber Champagne, Bay, Bay Dun, Bay Roan, Black, Blanket Appaloosa, Blue Roan, Brown, Buckskin, Champagne, Chestnut, Classic Champagne, Cremello, Dun, Dun Roan, Fewspot Appaloosa, Flaxen Chestnut, Frame Overo, Gold Champagne, Gray, Grey, Grullo, Leopard Appaloosa, Liver Chestnut, Overo, Palomino, Perlino, Piebald, Pinto, Rabicano, Red Dun, Red Roan, Roan, Sabino, Seal Bay, Silver Dapple, Skewbald, Smoky Black, Smoky Cream, Snowcap Appaloosa, Sorrel, Splash White, Tobiano, Tovero, Varnish Roan, White