Kurdish Horse

The Kurdish horse is a regional horse type associated with Kurdish communities across mountainous parts of western Asia, including areas of Iraq, Iran, Turkey, and Syria. It is best understood as a practical landrace or group of local riding horses rather than a single tightly standardized breed. Many are valued for stamina, sure-footedness, compact strength, and the ability to carry riders over rocky, steep, or dry country.

Owners and breeders who use the Kurdish horse often care more about usefulness than show-ring uniformity. Good examples should be judged on sound legs, sensible temperament, recovery after work, and suitability for local climate and terrain. Where breed identity is being recorded, photographs, parentage notes, and regional history are helpful, because outside crosses and informal naming can make the label variable from one community to another.

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