One of the most intelligent, attractive, kind and willing children’s horses is also one of the most unknown in North America. A hardy breed which survived for centuries in the wild in west central Iran, Caspian horses were once prized by Persian kings and were recognized by the Shah of Iran’s Royal Horse Society in 1970. Years of political turmoil in Iran, including the overthrow of the Shah and the long Iran-Iraq war, led to a dedicated breeder, Louise Fiorouz, exporting a number of Caspians – nine stallions and seventeen mares – to Europe. By 1992, when the war ended, there were only 38 horses listed in the stud book - the breed was nearly extinct. Mrs. Fiorouz worked very hard to buy or find wild Caspians to ensure the breed would survive. Today, there are only about 1,300 registered Caspians worldwide, of which approximately 450 are in North America. There are only seven known Caspians in Canada.

Caspian horses, although they only stand between 10 and 12.2 hands on average, make wonderful children’s mounts. They are elegant and flashy, yet trustworthy and easy to handle, and come in every colour except piebald and skewbald. Their gaits are lovely and floating; their canter is smooth and rocking.

Caspians excel at many disciplines, from hunter/jumper and dressage to driving, gymkhanas, Western speed events and trail riding. They make excellent family horses, as they genuinely seem to appreciate and love the humans around them.

For more information about Caspian horses, contact:
The Caspian Horse Society of the Americas
6109 F.M. 390 North, Brenham, Texas 77833
979-277-0024
www.caspian.org