Prezwalski Horse a Separate Equine Species

The Przewalski or Mongolian (or Asiatic) Wild Horse was originally thought to be yet another breed of the domestic horse, Equus caballus. But it has since been proved that they are a separate species of equid entirely, having 66 chromosomes while the domestic horse has only 64. According to "Storey's Illustrated Guide to 96 Horse Breeds of North America" (Storey Publishing, 2005), any foal of equus caballus and equus ferus przewalski will have 65 chromosomes.

About the Name

Przewalski get their Russian name from the first white man to seriously study them. Unfortunately, for anyone not used to Russian, last name happened to be Przewalski (sha VAL skee). The Mongolian name for them is "takhi". At the time, the Asiatic Wild Horse could be found as far North as Russia and China, down through Mongolia and into what is now Kazakhstan. Sadly, they are extinct in the wild, although attempts have been made to introduce a breeding herd of 400 animals into Mongolia.

The "Wild" part of their name is truly fitting, as these horses refuse to be domesticated. The closest they will come to domestication is eating a treat out of someone's hand and perhaps being groomed but they will not consent to be ridden or put into harness. The Przewalski is considered to be the only true wild horse left on the planet.

General Appearance

These are chunky animals that average about 13 hands high and usually weight around 500 - 700 pounds. In silhouette, they more resemble the zebra than what we would normally consider a horse. They have block-like heads, a thick body, a straight back and small ears and eyes. Their manes usually stick upright and their tails are very thick. Their coat is usually always a shade of dun with a pale muzzle (called mealy-colored). This pale color can sometimes be found ringing the eyes or on the belly.

They often have black stockings as well as a black mane and tail. But not always. Individuals have appeared with brown manes or a mixture or brown and black. Also, some Przewalski's have developed zebra stripes on their legs. Many also have a dorsal stripe.

The National Zoo

Zoos and nature preserves are the main home for today's Przewalskis. In order to prevent inbreeding, the International Asiatic Wild Horse Studbook was set up. The major coordinator of world wide breeding efforts is the National Zoo in Washington, DC. In 2008, they managed the world's first equine reverse vasectomy on the stallion Montana. He had been given a vasectomy instead of a gelding in order for him to take over as a breeding stallion when the oldest stallions in his herd had died.

Additional References

"Storey's Illustrated Guide to 96 Horse Breeds of North America." Judith Dutson. Storey Publishing; 2005.

World Association of Zoos and Aquariums. "Coming Home: The Return of the Przewalski's Horse to the Mongolian Gobi." Dr. Chris Walzer, et al. http://www.waza.org/files/webcontent/documents/press/Przewalskis_Horse.pdf

Foundation for the Preservation and Protection of the Przewalski's Horse. "Unique, But Why?" http://www.treemail.nl/takh/horse/index.htm