Spotted Stories: Read about the latest news and updates from the team in Kyrgyzstan

An elderly man with a white beard wearing traditional Asian clothing and a tall hat, is sitting on the ground with his eyes closed, holding a large animal skull, likely a cow or buffalo skull.
Two horse riders, one on a spotted white horse and one on a brown horse, riding fast on a dirt trail. The rider on the white horse is an elderly man with a beard, and the other rider is a younger man with a mustache.
Association Chaar Appaloosa Association Chaar Appaloosa

Chaar Ranch — a place where a rare Central Asian horse is being reborn

The Chaar, an ancient spotted Central Asian horse, embodies nomadic life. Renowned for endurance, sure-footedness, and a leopard-like coat, it shaped migrations, herding, and rituals. Protecting the Chaar preserves breeders’ skills, traditional tack, and seasonal movements that sustain horse and herder. Each carefully bred foal is a fragile thread in a cultural tapestry worth safeguarding.

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Association Chaar Appaloosa Association Chaar Appaloosa

Josette OBIN: More Than a Visit: Becoming Part of Chaar Story

Traveling in Kyrgyzstan is not only about landscapes—it is also about discovering rare living heritage. The Chaar horse, a unique spotted breed preserved by a dedicated association, represents a little-known part of Central Asia’s equestrian culture that few travelers have the chance to encounter.

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