500px provided description: The beauty of northern Iran ? guilan province , Rasht - Pirbazar - Whereabouts and breeding horses -

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" the oldest horse or pony breeds in the world " The Caspian horse holds the distinction of being both one of the oldest and one of the newest of horse breeds. Current archeozoologic evidence dates the Caspian back to at least 3,000 BC, pre-dating other recognized breeds of horses. When the Persian Empire collapsed in 644 AD, its royal horse was ?lost? for more than a thousand years until its re-discovery in 1965 ( by Louise Firouz ) . The Caspian may represent Horse Type 4 in the development of the modern horse, making it the only foundation type that exists as a modern breed. During its 5,000 year saga, the Caspian has experienced life as a royal treasure and a peasant?s cart horse. It has served as a source of national pride and a source of meat. While research on the breed?s origins continues, the current story of the Caspian horse is nothing short of amazing. The Caspian is also well suited to be an elegant harness horse. Their acceleration, maneuverability, endurance and intelligence bring them considerable success in the show ring.

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The Story of Louise Firouz

Without the careful observations and incredible tenacity of one woman, Louise Firouz, the Caspian horse may have remained hidden or been lost forever. Louise was an accomplished young horsewoman from Virginia. Louise met her Iranian husband, Narcy, during college and they moved to Iran in 1957. They lived near the ancient Persian Empire capital of Persepolis, founded by Darius I during his reign from 522 to 485 BC. Small, elegant horses were featured on many stone carvings on the palace walls. The stone carvings came to life when Louise first saw a small horse in a remote village near the Caspian Sea in 1965. With great effort and many setbacks, Louise collected a number of the small horses. The Caspian horse had been re-discovered. Political turmoil in Iran made her task nearly impossible at times, but Louise persevered and ensured the breed?s survival. [#landscape ,#fog ,#sunset ,#spring ,#nature ,#travel ,#sun ,#tree ,#fine art ,#iran ,#Horse ,#guilan]