The Przewalski horse. 

It’s almost unbelievable that it’s the only horse breed that’s still truly wild. Ever since its discovery in 1879, nobody has ever been successful in taming or riding these wild horses. They have always roamed free, unlike other breeds that are feral or domesticated. 

But these horses are also endangered.

The Przewalski horse is different from other horse breeds aside from being wild and unrideable. Their legs are shorter, have a thicker neck, and hold a stockier build. They have a big heavy head, and hooves that can make them cover long distances. Therefore, they are only 12-14 hands tall.

 Another unique feature is that they don’t have a forelock and their manes are short and upright. Unlike the Fjord horse’s mane, which is cut and styled, the Przewalski’s mane is naturally upright. 

The Przewalski horses usually have a dun or buckskin coat, and their dark lower legs have zebra-like horizontal stripes — something any other horse doesn’t have.

In personality, the Przewalski horse is more alert than domestic horses, and are better adapted to extreme heat or cold.

They never look at humans as a caregiver, they look at them as more of a threat. They have a fierce, stubborn temperament that can make riding not only impossible, but also highly dangerous.

Sadly, the Przewalski horse is endangered, with only 2,000 of these wild horses left in the world. Many locals living near the horses hunted them for meat and survival, and some horses were pushed away from their homes in Mongolia and Central Asia. By the late 1960’s, these horses were virtually extinct, with only 12 to 14 left.

Conservation efforts have successfully reintroduced and now hunting the Przewalski horse is illegal. Even though they are still endangered, the population is slowly growing and going back to their high numbers before the hunting started.

I’m awed at how there can only be one wild breed left in the world, and the rest are feral or tamed. Even though I love riding, I wish there could be more wild horses in the world, never tamed or ridden. 

Seeing or learning about truly wild horses can make you realize that horses aren’t just pets or a sport: They are a wild, untamed part of the beauty of nature itself.