The horse has long occupied a central place in the cultural and everyday life of the Kazakh people, playing a role unmatched by any other animal. For centuries, it was an integral part of the nomadic way of life, valued as a means of transportation, a source of food, and companionship.
Kazakh horse Kabirhan during the 2024 Dubai International Horse Races. Photo: Dubai Racing Club
Kazakhstan is working not only to preserve its native breeds, but also to restore the population of one of the world's rarest animals – the Przewalski's horse.
The Return of the Wild Horses
Przewalski's horses, considered the last true subspecies of wild horse, became extinct in the wild in 1969 and survive only in captivity. Unlike American mustangs, which descended from domesticated animals, Przewalski's horses have retained their wild ancestry.
The first seven Przewalski's horses arrived from Prague Zoo in 2024, and another group will join us in 2025. Photo: The Astana Times
In 2024, the first seven horses arrived in Kazakhstan from Prague Zoo as part of the international "Return of the Wild Horses" project . Another group arrived in 2025. Specialists closely monitored them as they adapted to the harsh conditions of the Turgai steppe, enduring temperatures as low as -30°C. Two mares, Umbra and Vespa, were fitted with GPS collars to track the group's movements.
Przewalski's horses. Photo: Salemgareev's Instagram page.
By 2029, Kazakhstan plans to release 40–45 horses into the Altyn-Dala State Nature Reserve in the Kostanay region, selected for their grazing lands and water bodies. After their release, the horses will be protected by state rangers.
The project's significance extends beyond ecological considerations and goes beyond species conservation. Large herbivores such as horses and kulans regulate vegetation, enrich soils, reduce the risk of forest fires, and support biodiversity. In winter, they create trails that help other species access food and water.
Local breeds and selection
In addition to environmental protection, Kazakhstan remains a horse-breeding country. Around 14 horse breeds are bred in the country, including the Kushum, Mogalzhar, and Kostanay breeds, said Miras Yesenbayev, a livestock specialist and head of the hippotherapy department at the Argymak equestrian health complex in Astana.
Photo: inform.kz
"The Kazakh horse is fully adapted to local conditions. It survives winter in the snow, grazes outdoors year-round, and requires virtually no human care. In contrast, modern farmed breeds require concentrated feed, clean water, and constant care," Yesenbayev told Kazinform.
He noted that purebred animals are becoming increasingly rare due to crossbreeding, but Kazakh horses retain valuable qualities. He also warned that horse breeding remains underdeveloped compared to livestock breeding, despite its greater economic efficiency.
"A mare can produce five to six foals per decade, as well as 8-12 liters of milk per day and 1.5-2.5 tons per lactation. The cost of producing horse meat is two to two and a half times lower than that of cattle," said Yesenbayev.
Last year, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed a law on the preservation and reproduction of national horse breeds, including the Kostanay horse breed. Officials claim this measure will benefit both agriculture and sports.
Sporting legacy and modern success
Kazakh horses continue to prove their strength in competition. The Adai breed was officially recognized in 2023 at an international tournament in Kenderli, Mangystau Region, and Kabirhan began his international racing career with two victories at the Al Maktoum Challenge in Dubai.
Historically, during Soviet times, the Kostanay horse was one of the fastest in the world, sometimes surpassing Arabian and purebred English racehorses.
"Horses have been included in the Olympic program since 1912. Kazakh riders were part of the Soviet Union team and achieved outstanding results, for example, riding the stallion Fantazer and Zolotnik. The latter once covered 311 kilometers in a single day," said Yesenbayev.
Equestrian sports such as kokpar, alaman baige , and zhorga-zharys have seen a revival over the past 30 years. Amanzhol Khasenov, director of the Argymak complex, noted that Kazakhstani athletes are achieving victories at home and abroad, and national competitions are attracting ever-increasing audiences.
"For the 60 million Turkic-speaking people of the region, these sports are part of our heritage. They always attract a huge audience. With government support, they could be included in the Asian Games, and potentially the Olympic Games," said Khasenov.