Our Mission
It all started back in 2012, with one simple question: was there truly a link between the spotted Chaar horses of Kyrgyzstan and the American Appaloosa? That question set Munarbek Kuldanbaev on a path that would shape the rest of his life, and he has been leading the horses' revival on the ground ever since. Today, the Chaar Appaloosa Association carries that work out into the world, building the support, partnerships, and visibility the Foundation needs to keep the herd growing back home in Kyrgyzstan.
Five goals the mission is working toward
Grow the documented, pedigreed population to the number needed for official recognition of the Chaar as its own breed.
Verify the Leopard Complex genetics behind every foal and build a lasting registry of the breed.
The first horse of the Manas epic is named Toru Chaar. Carry that place in Kyrgyz heritage into the next generation.
Expand the ranch and improve breeding and veterinary conditions so the herd can grow sustainably, not just quickly.
With no government funding in Kyrgyzstan, the work depends on international partnerships and donors. That network still needs to grow.
Munarbek Kuldanbaev is the person actually doing this work, day to day, on the ground in Kyrgyzstan. His approach is defined not by statements but by long-term commitment: real herds, natural environments, and the patient work of careful breeding, rebuilding a lineage that was close to disappearing.
He is joined by Yrys, a horseman raised in these mountains who knows the terrain better than almost anyone. Yrys watches over the herd year round, through every season.
That is the Foundation's side of things. On the international side is the Chaar Appaloosa Association, founded in France in 2023 and led by President Nicolas Poirier. Its role is to build the partnerships, support, and visibility the Foundation needs, while the Foundation continues its hands on work with the horses themselves.
Two organizations, one mission: keeping local knowledge in Kyrgyzstan connected to a community that stretches well beyond it, so the Chaar horse remains a living part of the world, not just a memory of one.
Where it all started in 2012…
The question raised at the start of this page deserves its full answer. In 2012, Munarbek Kuldanbaev, together with Scott Engstrom and Conor Woodman, set out to investigate it properly: what was the real connection between Kyrgyzstan's spotted Chaar horses and the American Appaloosa?
What they found challenged the global understanding of horse breeding history. The two breeds were genuinely linked, tying Central Asia to one of the most recognized lineages in the world.
That discovery came with responsibility. Munarbek went on to lead the revival of the Chaar horse in earnest, and what began as a research question became his life's work. Today, the breed is a growing, recognized part of Kyrgyzstan's cultural and equestrian heritage once again.
The Chaar horse represents both the heritage and richness of Kyrgyz culture. We are working towards the restoration of the Chaar horse through a breeding program that is part of a wider ecological approach to preserving biodiversity.
Protecting the Chaar horse matters for several important reasons:
Photos from our visitors
Every expedition and every ranch visit adds a few more photos to this collection. These were taken by the people who came to see the herd for themselves. Tap any photo to read the full story.
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The progress made so far
With help from sales of Alice Shirley's artwork, we bought land near Toktogul and completed the ranch's first phase: the core infrastructure needed to handle the horses safely, plus living quarters for the team on site.
Four breeding herds, 51 mares, 4 stallions, growing foal counts each season, and a further 13 young stallions and riding horses alongside them.
Last year, the Accelerated Breeding Program delivered its first foals to its first members. One of them is preparing to become the first Chaar foal ever to travel internationally, heading to the United States.
In 2025, we led our first expedition, bringing association members and new supporters to see the herd in its natural summer habitat. We repeated it in 2026, and it is fast becoming an anchor of how we raise support each year.
Supporters from France, the UK, Germany, Switzerland, Luxembourg, the USA, Canada, Italy, Spain, and Portugal already take an active part in the breeding program. That network is the foundation everything above was built on.
Help the Project Grow
Join a conservation initiative where your support directly grows the herd. French residents benefit from a 66% tax deduction, and all supporters receive a small gift of thanks each year, wherever they are.
Become a supporter from €15/month