Lokai

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Lokai Horse - Oklahoma State University Breeds Of Livestock

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Country of Origin: Tajikstan (Former Soviet Union)

Origin

Tajikistan is the origin of the breed. Tajikistan was formally the Soviet Union. Their descendents were Oriental mainly of central Asian strains such as the Iomud and the Akhal-Teke. The Karabair and Bukhara breed also is in the Lokai background. The Uzbek Lokai tribe,developed originally developed this breed. Arabian horses were later introduced into the breeding mix.

Breed Description

The Lokai horse is approximately 14.3 hh. Some are smaller. Their colors range from gray, bay, chestnut, black, and palomino. The coat is often curly and has a shiny, metallic like shine. Bonnie L. Hendricks, in her book entitled International Encyclopedia of Horse Breeds, wrote: "Horses with curly coats are most often found among middle Asian breeds, especially in the Lokai." Sometimes you will see sparse manes and tails that can be traced back to the Akhal-Teke's influence. They have great variance in their characteristics. However, there is one strain of Lokai which can be traced back to a specific stallion, Farfor. He was bred to reproduce this curly coat from 1955 to 1970. He produced up to 18 foals each year that had this curly coat. These Lokai are fully curly coated from head to hoof. They have inherited a dominant gene from this stallion. "His offspring were characterized by great endurance, resistance to disease, and good adaptation to range living in the mountains... Farfor was used for a long time in the Tadzik national game, buz-kasi... Farfor was heterozygote, and to strengthen the heredity of the curly coat inbreeding was used in certain generations. As a result of many years of careful selection, a group of curly horses was obtained. Horses of this strain are curly from ears to cannons, especially during the spring and summer periods." The legs are not always properly set. The head can be quite coarse, but not always. Lokai are not uniform in their conformation. They are extremely hardy, have excellent endurance and are used in the famous game of kokpar or Bazhashi.

Use

The Lokai was bred to be a small riding horse or saddle breed. A new breed of saddlers is now being bred in Tajikistan by mating Lokai mares to Arabian and Thoroughbred stallions.

For More Information:

Lokai Horse Breed-International Encyclopedia of the Horse
Lokai Horse - Oklahoma State University Breeds Of Livestock
Lokai