OLDEST HORSE
It's name was devised in the 1880's when the oldest horse species in the world , and the last truly wild horse, was “discovered” by a Russian explorer named Nicholas Przewalski.
Przewalski's Horse is thought to be descended from ancestors which lived in pre-historic times. It is one of several species which survived the glacial era as is said to be our last link with ancient, primitive horse breeds. It inhabited largely the whole of the Eurasian plains originally, but, as the grazing lands dwindled in size because of climate changes, the wild herds were diminished in size and in numbers and lingered, primarily along what would be today's Mongolia-China borders.
Wild herds of Przewalski's horse were last reported in 1968, but those who have admired the sturdy, small breed insist that it has withstood climate conditions far worse for generations and may well do so once more. There are about three hundred of the horse in zoos and natural habitat areas around the world. Just because the wry and wily steed has not been seen recently does not mean it has become extinct.
Herds are traditionally small. There will be several mares and young horses led by stallion. Mares come into heat are seasonal intervals and usually mate in the month of May so that foals will be born in that month of the following year. It is held by many that Przewalski mares give birth at night only, so the new foal can be up and ready - after a fashion - for the trail the next morning. The mare commonly takes the tail of the foal between her teeth and nudges the newborn along with her nose. They suckle their young for several months or until teeth are developed enough to permit grazing. Young females may stay with the tribal unit or join others. The lead stallion drives all male contenders away after one year, by which time they are old enough, strong enough and smart enough to gather their own harem of mares.
Herds commonly feed at dusk. in wooded areas. At daybreak, they return to their desert habitat to rest until sunset. The tend to favor specific areas and wear deep paths by continued use of the same routes. Such habits explain, to some extent, why the small groups may not be readily spotted by man.
This horse has another protecive advantages. It is usually a dull yellow-bwownin color fading to a ligher tinge under the belly.The long tail is black and has a short bristle base to it as does the black mane.The entire coat grows wooly and shaggy during the winter months. The mountains where the herds were first seen by man have been called "The Altai" for geneations - "the mountains of the yellow horses." The odd trait about the breed is, however, to be found in its hoof formation.. It leaves a print unlike any common breed. This gives it another, unpronounceble name in the fact that it belongs to the Order Perissodactyla which includes all mammels having an odd number of toes. The Prsewalski leaves what appears to be a single "fingertip" with the last bone widened and rounded off as a hoof. The adaptation has enabled the breed to run swiftly to evade attack.
A.L.M. December 28. 2002 [c555wds]
