Tersk horse

Lore & Background

The Tersk Stud was established by Semyon Budyonny in 1921 to rebuild Russia's horse population after the Russian Revolution of 1917. In 1925, two stallions and a few mares of the now-extinct Ukrainian Strelets breed were brought to the stud. The Strelets was a part-bred Arab with Orlov Trotter, Don, and Kabardin influence. The two stallions, Tsenitel and Tsilindr, were bred to cross-bred mares with Arab, Don, Kabardin, and Strelets blood. The resulting mares were then put to Arab stallions—Koheilan IV, Marosh, and Nasim—to create the Tersk breed.

Reader's Guide

The Tersk horse represents a deliberate effort to combine the refinement and endurance of the Arabian with the size and hardiness needed for large-scale, extensive management in the taboon system of the North Caucasus. Officially recognized in 1948, the breed was valued for its versatility in equestrian sports, excelling in eventing, dressage, show-jumping, and especially endurance riding—one race of 310 km saw all participating Tersk horses finish without difficulty. Its use in circuses and for cross-breeding with other breeds such as the Lokai and Deliboz underscores its adaptability. By 2007, the FAO listed the Tersk as endangered in Europe, highlighting the need for conservation efforts to preserve this unique Russian breed.

Did You Know?

• The Tersk breed was developed between about 1925 and 1940 at the Tersk Stud in Stavropol Krai.
• The two founding Strelets stallions were named Tsenitel and Tsilindr.
• Arab stallions used in creating the breed included Koheilan IV, Marosh, and Nasim.
• In one endurance race of 310 km, all participating Tersk horses finished without difficulty.