Endurance and adaptability: why the Chaar horse was made for these mountains

Ride out into the Tien Shan and the ground changes fast. Within an hour you can be picking your way along a narrow, stony path towards a pass, with the air getting thinner and colder the higher you climb. Winters here are brutal, and the summer pastures sit as high as 3,800 metres.

Plenty of horses would struggle up here. The Chaar has had centuries to get used to it.

Feet made for rock

Chaar hooves are hard and thick-walled, and they grip stony ground well. Add a compact, muscular build and you get a horse that climbs and descends steep slopes steadily and rarely puts a foot wrong.

A coat for the cold

In winter, a Chaar grows two layers: a thick, woolly undercoat close to the skin and a longer, coarser coat on top. Together they keep the horse warm through nights that drop far below freezing, out on the open mountainside.

A ride you can settle into

For the rider, the best part is how smooth they are. Many Chaar have a natural ambling gait the Kyrgyz call the jorgo, and even on rough trails it feels steady underneath you. After a long day in the saddle, you notice the difference.

They're calm, too. On a tricky path, a horse that doesn't spook easily makes all the difference to how much you can relax and take in the view.

Ride one yourself

If you'd like to feel all this for yourself, our partner KirghizAsia runs trail rides on Chaar horses here in Kyrgyzstan.

You can also come and ride with us on the Chaar Expedition.

Chaar horse’s calm and composed demeanor further enhances the riding experience, instilling a sense of confidence and security for the rider. Through the celestial mountains and rugged terrains, chaar remains a steadfast companion, its force, endurance, and beauty a symbol of the untamed wilderness and the enduring spirit of exploration.

Their presence inspires a sense of reverence and admiration, reminding all who behold them of the unwavering bond between human and horse. In the solitude of the mountains, riders and chaar become one, forging an unbreakable connection as they traverse the wild landscape.

With each passing day, the riders are filled with an overwhelming sense of gratitude for the noble creatures beneath them, knowing that their journey through the Celestial Mountains is made all the more glorious by the proud Chaar horse by their side.

Experience this feeling with us, during our annual chaar horse riding expedition on celestial mountains!