Azerbaijan Horses and Horsemanship – Internet Based Informational Project

Aim of this volunteering project to tell about horses and horsemanship of Azerbaijan. Inputs and feedbacks are welcome!

Objectives

Collect all available on the Internet information about Azerbaijan horses and horsemanship, categorize and provide links from single point
Collect information available locally digitise if necessary, categorise and publicize on the Internet
Put in place continuous process for updating and improving quality and quantity of provided information

Scope and Sources

All accessible Internet sites about Azerbaijan horses and horsemanship
Reports of governmental sport and breeding associations
Information available about private horsemanship in Azerbaijan
Photo archives of individuals
Photos taken at different events
Relevant samples of literature
Historical and scientific essays
Previous publications like articles and books

Introduction

The horse was the most faithful friend of the man since thousands year. Since ancient times horses in Azerbaijan have been widely used not only as ridding and baggage animals or beasts or draught but also for holding horse competitions and playing games on horseback.

The historical sources show that holding of varied horse contests become a traditional in old Azerbaijan states (Aderbaigan, Albania) as far back as V-I Centuries BC.

In the latest periods of history horse contests developed in different directions and horse games, including horse race specific to individual nations began to come into existence.

Azerbaijan is one of the oldest countries that is domesticated and developed horses. 7.5% bones which discovered in result of research in “Alikomaktapa” monument situating in present Azerbaijan Republic, Jalilabad region concerning to final stages of Enolit age (end of V thousand years BC-first half of VI thousand years BC) belong to horses. According to the same bones such idea put forward that there 2 types horses in same ages in Azerbaijan.

It is necessary to estimate and develop horse-breeding field in our modern life according to playing the role in social, political, economical and military life of all people living in this world including Azerbaijan along the history.

The interest to the horse breeding in the world which technique, science develops is not decreased.

Presently there are more that 60.000 horses in Azerbaijan. Two breeds – “Karabakh” and “Dilbaz” breeds, which are famous in the world, concern to Azerbaijan people. Thus, Guba, Shirvan horses types existing in Azerbaijan. Our people’s great love to the horse and natural climate are created great opportunity for developing of horse breeding.

More typical representative of the horses concerning to “Karabakh” breed are bred in the Agdam horse-breeding plant. The plant’s horses are kept in winter quarters of “Lenberan” situated in territory of Agjabedi connecting with occupying Agdam by Armenian occupier.

More typical representative of the “Dilbaz” horses are bred in the Agstafa region of Baku State Hippodrome of “Dilbaz” subsidiary enterprises and “Dashus” pedigree enterprises of Sheki region.