Takhi

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The Takhi (Przewalski's Horse, Asiatic Wild Horse) Equus ferus przewalkskii by Melissa Gaulding

Photo courtesy Jessie Cohen, National Zoo

• History of the Breed
  Takhi, as the Przewalski's horse (say: sha VAL ski) is known in its native land of Mongolia, is believed by some scientists to be the wild progenitor of the domestic horse. Europeans first knew of the takhi in 1427, based on an unpublished account of Hans Schilfberger’s travels to the Tien Shan Mountains. But it was Nikolai Przewalski of Russia who wrote the first detailed descriptions for the takhi in 1881, hence his name has been used by Europeans to designate the species. Takhi populations were fairly stable until around the time of WWII, when encroachment from herders jeopardized the habitat, and takhi were over-hunted by military groups needing meat. They disappeared from the wild about 30 years ago, and were found only in captivity until 1997, when the first harem of one stallion, five mares, and two foals were released in the Djungarian Gobi. Since then, several new harems have been released, with 39 foals being born in the wild.



1. Country or Region of Origin
   Scrub and rock desert of SW Mongolia (specifically the "gobs" or places where water stored in subterranean rock feeds small areas of scrubby vegetation).



2. Genetic Heritage, Development of the Breed
   Takhi are a species, not a breed (for this discussion, a species is defined as a group of like animals that share a genetic make up, and will not interbreed due to biological, geographical, or behavioral differences; if interbreeding is forced, sexually viable offspring will not result and/or the offspring will not be genetically identical to the parents). Takhi have 66 chromosomes (33 pairs) as opposed to domestic horses, which have 64 chromosomes (32 pairs). If takhi are cross-bred with domestic horses, the offspring have 65 chromosomes, and subsequent cross-breedings produce offspring with 64 chromosomes and very few characteristics of takhi.



3. Historical Anecdotes or Significance
   Takhi are the last wild horse species; if they are allowed to disappear, any link between our beloved domestic horses and their ancient ancestry will be lost.



4. Traditional and Common Uses of the Breed
   Because they are extremely skittish and equally stubborn, takhi are as difficult to tame as zebras; it is believed by some anthropologists that takhi were used for transportation by humans as long as 3000 years ago, but there are few skeletal records to indicate the presence of takhi in human settlements -- whether these remains are from tamed animals is unknown. Ancient takhi were no doubt hunted for meat, although due to their hyper-alertness and speed, it is not likely that they were a standard source of food for ancient humans. Among the Mongolian peoples, there are oral histories of cross-breeding the takhi with "other" horses to produce more tractable animals.



5. The Breed's Influence on other Breeds
   Some scientists maintain that takhi are the progenitor of the domesticated horse (Equus caballus). Mitochondrial DNA research conducted by Ollie Rhyder of the San Diego Zoo in 1988 suggests that the ancestors of takhi and E. caballus diverged 250,000 years ago.



• Breed Characteristics And Type
1. Appearance & Proportions
   Takhi are small, robustly-built equids with big heads, short legs, and stocky bodies. They generally stand 12 to 14 hands, weigh 500-800 lbs, and live for 25-30 years in captivity. A notable characteristic is their complete lack of forelock. Takhi have acute hearing and sense of smell and very good sight. In high wind, takhi "turn tail" and tuck their tails tightly between the back legs; this may be an evolutionary behavior to protect the eyes and nostrils---while also protecting the sensitive genital region---from the severe sand storms of the Gobi. They can survive for long periods without drinking water.
   
   Takhi don’t look much like domestic horses! The head is massive and rectangular, with a convex nasal bone, small eyes, large nostrils, and thick, hair-filled ears. The muzzle is boxy and does not taper. The lower lip is prominent. The underside of the jaw is somewhat bearded. The neck is about the same length as the head and lacks a pronounced crest. There may be a slight dewlap (fold of loose skin) at the throatlatch and at the chest. The topline is long and straight with neither pronounced withers or croup. The top few inches of tailbone do not have long tail hairs, but are covered with body hair; the tail is low set with hair that hangs at least to the hocks. Mane and tail hair are course and thick. Mane hair stands erect. Body hair is dense and coarse-textured; takhi shed out in hot weather, but even in light coat, the body hair is coarse, rather than silky or shiny.
   
   Takhi are quite pot-bellied, even though wild takhi usually show some ribs. The skin is thick, giving the heavily-muscled animal a smooth, almost muscle-less appearance. Skin color is a dark dusty-gray. The legs are short and heavily-boned with some feathering on the fetlocks. The hooves are weathered black, hard, and somewhat wide, as befits an animal running on sand and rock. The overall appearance is one of power, resilience, and fortitude. Mares are slightly smaller versions of stallions, not obviously delicate or feminine. Foals are very pale in color with extreme pangare, and look sturdier than a domestic horse foal.



2. Colors, Markings, Patterns
   Takhi are sandy to reddish dun with dorsal stripe, shoulder stripes, leg barring, and pronounced, pale-gray pangare around the muzzle and undersides. Mane and tail are dark. There can be dark smudges on the outside of leg joints. Often the neck and head are redder or darker than the body.



3. Features/Characteristics
   All takhi lack forelocks.



4. Diagrams, Photos, Visual Examples
   
   Photo courtesy Jessie Cohen, National Zoo



• Modern Day Breed Status
1. Registration numbers, statistics
   Takhi are endangered. There are about 50 in the wild as of July 2000, and about 2000 individuals held in captivity in 175 institutions; the international studbook is held at the New York Zoological Society (Bronx Zoo) by Mike Brenish. Herd "A" breeding group have no genetic contamination from domestic horses and can be traced to nine founders; herd "B" have slight genetic contamination from cross-breeding with domestic horses. (A computer-driven population modeling program known as VORTEX has been used to predict mortality in the wild herd and has determined that six new animals must be released annually, until the population stabilizes at around 110 animals, in order for the species to survive disease, predation/ wolves, and extremes of climate, and thus be considered "successful" in the wild.) Due to the high cost of releasing even one animal, it is difficult to predict the future of the reintroduction effort.



• Resource Listing
1. Recommended Books/Videos and Offline Resources
   Walker, Ernest P. Mammals of the World (Fifth Edition), 1991, John Hopkins University Press.
   
   Stuwe, Michael, and Chris Wemmer, Ben Beck, Christian Stauffer. Reintroduction of North American Takhi in Mongolia (September 2000), paper for the International Takhi Group and the Mongolian Commission for Endangered Species.



2. Recommended Related Websites
   Horse Breeds of the World
   
   Gobi Takhi Reintroduction Project
   
   Oklahoma State University, Department of Animal Science

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Views expressed herein are those of the writers and compilers of the various information. Reference sources are cited where applicable. Copyrights are the property of the respective authors.