the chaar horse
A spotted mountain horse of Kyrgyzstan, back from the edge
The Chaar is a native spotted horse, shaped by the land, the weather and the people who rode alongside it for generations. It survived on its own, with no breeding programme and no registry behind it, until it nearly disappeared.
Today the herd at Chaar Ranch is growing again, with new foals every spring, and a plan to bring the breed back to a size that can look after itself.
the association
A nonprofit protecting the Chaar horse and the culture around it
the film
True Appaloosa, the film that started it all
Directed and produced by Conor Woodman, co-produced by Munarbek Kuldanbaev, and also released as The Secret Horse: Quest for the True Appaloosa. It follows Woodman, Appaloosa breeder Scott Engstrom and Kyrgyz breeder Munarbek Kuldanbaev into the mountains of Kyrgyzstan.
The question they set out to answer: are Central Asia's spotted Chaar horses related to the American Appaloosa, the horse of the Nez Perce? That journey started everything that followed.
Also on Prime Video, with subtitles in several languages.
spotted stories
News and updates
Foal news from the mountains, stories of nomadic culture, and dispatches from the ranch. Read the latest
7 november
Alice Shirley's Chaar Appaloosa sells for a dizzying price
A week-long auction on Instagram, a painting inspired by petroglyphs, and the proceeds going straight to the herd.
12 january
From France to the Kyrgyz steppes: Léon's winter with the herd
A recent graduate swapped a gap-year beach trip for a winter looking after the horses.
28 february
Munarbek on Chaar Suluu, the stallion who started it
The founder on the horse behind the whole project, and the breeding programme built to save the breed.
4 to 14 july 2027
Join the 2027 Chaar Expedition
Once a year we ride up into the high summer pastures to find the herds where they roam. Eleven days, a small group, and a part of nomadic life that's still going on. Places are limited.
support
Four ways to keep the herd going
Donate once
A single gift, any amount, straight to the programme.
Give monthly
Steady support the ranch can plan a season around.
Own a foal
Back a foal in the accelerated breeding programme.
Come and see
Join a trip, or volunteer your time and skills.
French residents can deduct 66% of a donation from their taxes. You can also help by buying something from the shop.