The Przewalski's wild horse is also known as the Mongolian, the Asiatic Wild Horse or the Poliakoff. The Mongolian name for this horse is Takhi, meaning spirit. Horses are central to Mongolian culture and the Takhi is a symbol of their national heritage. Scientific opinion is divided but some scientists maintain that the Takhi is the progenitor of the domesticated horse (Equus caballus) and that this endangered species should not be allowed to become extinct because of the link to the domesticated horse. 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.
This ancient, primitive breed was renamed in 1881 after the Russian explorer Colonel Nikolay M. Przewalski when he discovered a small herd of these horses in the Tachin Schara Naru Mountains on the edge of the Gobi desert in Western Mongolia. Until this discovery, the breed was believed to be extinct as Mongolian tribesmen had systematically over-hunted the horses, driving them into the desert. It is very unlikely that any exist in the wild today, owing to relentless hunting, but it is found in captivity as the only truly wild horse still surviving.
The Przewalski has a different chromosome count - 66 chromosomes as opposed to the 64 of the domestic horse. However, it does produce fertile offspring when crossed with the domestic horse. Other relatives in the equid family, such as an ass crossed with a horse, can interbreed but the resulting offspring are nearly always infertile.
The Przewalski stands at about 12 to 13 h.h. and is always a sandy, dun colour with a mealy nose (light-coloured), thick dark mane and tufted tail. The mane, which is shed in the spring, stands upright as if hogged and does not fall into a forelock. There is a black eel stripe down the centre of the back and zebra markings on the legs. The head is large with a flat forehead, straight profile, long ears, high set, small eyes, and a large muzzle; the neck is short and thick; the shoulder is straight and upright; the back is short with low withers; the hindquarters are weak and undeveloped; the limbs are short and strong with large, shallow, strong hooves. The Przewalski is a hardy, enduring horse able to withstand the most severe climatic conditions on meagre rations. It is virtually unapproachable and not suitable to ride as it has a difficult disposition. It is the last truly wild horse in existence.
The International Takhi-Group (ITG) is an umbrella organisation comprising all institutions participating in the re-introduction of Takhis in Mongolia - the breed's original habitat. The ITG is officially registered in Switzerland.
