The history of the Caspian stretches far back beyond the centuries and is very rich and intricate. Even a brief summary does not do justice to this elegant and ancient breed. Yet one can gain a basic understanding by taking the smallest peek at the breed’s ancient lines.
Beginning at the end, the Caspian breed was rediscovered in 1965 by Louise Firouz, and American-born Cornell graduate who traveled in the Elburz Mountains of Iran. She came across a herd of 30 horses and, believing them to be connected to an ancient breed depicted in murals in the Palace of Persepolis, pursued an in-depth study of the animals. After studies were conducted on blood, bone structure and skeletal properties, scientists concluded that the horses did indeed descend from the ancient bloodlines. Louise Firouz began her self-assigned project to preserve the breed. Her first herd of seven mares and six stallions were exported to her equestrian center in Tehran, were she began an intensive breeding program.
Over the next several years, Firouz had a difficult time preserving the Caspian breed. The horses were threatened with extinction in the midst of wars and government seizures. Yet the breeder successfully exported a number of horses to various countries, delivering them from annihilation repeatedly. When the dust settled, she exported enough horses to establish 26 solid bloodlines outside Iran. These 26 bloodlines form the foundations of every Caspian bred today. Though not exhaustive, a small glimpse of the horse’s recent history establishes the Caspian’s rarity and historical value and suggests the importance of preserving this elegant breed.
The Caspian conformation is, simply put, that of a pony-size Arabian. They come in black, bay, grey, and roaning variations of these colors. They display the dished profile, and light but sturdy bone structure and conformation of the Arabian.
The pedigrees of these horses have been carefully researched and were very difficult to find. Most are extensive pedigrees, others do not have much information, but all are valuable. Foundation stock is depicted with a * preceding the name. In some cases, pedigree info may not be complete as records were lost during numerous exportations. Gaps have been filled, if at all possible.
Many parents to these horses are living and have been carefully matched to avoid inbreeding. The obvious ones that should not cross have notes following their descriptions. I will match requests before breeding to ensure healthy breeding. If lines come too close, I will make alternate suggestions, to guard against inbreeding, as there may be problems I have not caught yet.
Due to their size, caspians mature early. Stallions can breed at two, mares at three.
Stallions
Windjammer 1987 Chocolate Bay Marida Aquei x Marianna) Do not cross with Shirez. Bred by Shadow Hills Ranch.
Powder Keg 1991 Dark Rose Grey (Avval Torrance x Ostia). Bred by Shadow Hills Ranch
Algernon 1993 Chestnut (Rosemear Bahush (L) x Hopstone Asal (L)). Limited Pedigree.
Kodah 1994 Grey (Beldam (L) x Tandara Etta (L))
Mustah Karush 1994 Chestnut (Darkhorse Siydeh (L) x Mullacot Bathsheba (L)) Do not cross to Marouna or Nourayah.
Dariah Bahush 1995 Bay (Darkhorse Siydeh (L) x Tandara Jameel (L)) Do not cross to Nourayah
Orion Mist 1995 Rose Grey Darkhorse Siydeh (L) x Jandowae Shashua (L)) Do not cross to Dariana or Nourayah
Mares
Shirez 1986 Dappled Chestnut Marida Aquei (L) x Marianna (L) Do not cross to Windjammer. Bred by Shaow Hills Ranch.
Progeny: 1995 Barnum, Light Grey Colt.
Petite Rose 1991 red roan (Avval Torrence x Ostia) Do not breed to Powder Keg. Also, she has similar lines to Silver Aleph. Bred by Shadow Hills Ranch.
Progeny: 1995Avalon, Bay Stallion [Windjammer]
Marouna 1993 Chestnut (Henden Hannibal (L) x Mullacot Bathsheba (L)) Do not cross to Mustah Karush.
Dariana 1994 Bay (Henden Hannibal (L) x Jandowae Shashua (L)) Do not cross to Orion Mist.
Gay Pari 1994 Bay going Grey (Henden Hannibal (L) x Tandara Hisan (L)).
Nourayah 1994 Black (Darkhorse Sidyeh (L) x Mote Shalaby (L)) Do not cross to Mustah Karush, Daria Bahush, Orion Mist.
Silver Aleph 1994 Dark Grey (Torro x Nuyar) Do not breed to Powder Keg. Similar lines to Petite Rose. Bred by Shadow Hills Ranch
Progeny: 1997 Bailey, Light Grey Colt.
Tandara Kalifa 1995 Black (Kineton Kalif (L) x Tandara Hamari Qamri (L). Bred by Whitney’s Half Acre.
Kalifa Abbi 1995 White Grey (Kineton Kalif (L) x Usselwood Abbi (L). Bred by Whitney’s Half Acre.
Dales Ponies
Dales ponies are an English breed similar to fells. The y are accepted in a wider range of color but are still primarily black. Greys are the second most common color with bays also occurring. They are similar also to fells in that they have feathering and a conformation much like a small Freisian.
Stallions
Blithewold Warren 1987 Black (Wharton Brigadier (L) x Langrigg Diana (L))
Blithewold Bristol 1990 Shaded Black Bay (Slaypitts Black Magic (L) x Lowside Lady Diana (L))
Mares
Blithewold Swanzey 1985 Grey (Village Boy (L) x Trimdon Star (L))
Blithewold Somerset 1988 Black (Lummas Rambo (L) x Laddie’s Molly (L))
Blithewold Portia 1992 Black (Village Sovereign (L) x Raecleugh Peggy (L))
Fell Ponies
Fell ponies are an old English breed named after the “fells” of Cumbria in Northwest England. The breed was threatened with extinction with the coming of railways in the early part of the 20th Century. With careful breeding, crossing native British ponies with freisians, the Fell pony has come back to prominence.
Fells are 13.2 to 14 hands, and look very much like Freisians. They range in color from black, brown, bay and grey, with black being the most predominant. The ponies I hav below have been bred by living pedigrees I found on thenet. I have tried to remain true to authenticity in their breeding.
Stallions
Woodmere Brandywine 1990 Bay (Teba Campbell Ton Victor (L) x Lunesdale Sandra (L)).Northlight Action Fell Pony.
Woodmere Mandrake 1991 Black (Rowan’s Sultan (L) x Barbondale Petal (L))
Woodmere Dapper Boy 1992 Bay (Tarnbeck Lightning (L) x Foggy Gill Dapper (L)). Northlight Fell Pony.
Woodmere Falloway Prince 1994 Black (Waverhead Prince II (L) x Waverhead Julie’s Jenny (L))
Mares
Woodmere Ebony Gypsy 1989 Black (Heltondale Black Prince III (L) x Hartrigg Gypsy Queen (L))
Progeny: 1995 Gypsy Princess, Black Filly
Woodmere Daisy Lark 1990 Black (Lunesdale Lucky Jim (L) x Lowenthwaite Apple Blossom (L))
Woodmere Eventide 1991 Black (Heltondale Hero (L) x Lowenthwaite Evelyn (L))
Progeny: 1995Wold’s Eventide, Bay Stallion
Woodmere Bryone 1993 Black (Guard’s Patrick (L) x Townshend Bryony (L))
Woodmere Black Rose 1994 Black (Drybarrows Jeff (L) x Midnight Valley Wild Rose (L))
Hackney Ponies
Stallions
Powow Whata Knight 1980 Bay (Knight Appeal x High Spirits) *Retired 2005* photo by ?.CM Sculpture.
Snazzy Jazz 1989 Copper Bay (Pzazz (L) x Mark’s Debutante (L))
Sovereign Serendipity 1990 Dark Bay (Cassilis Debonaire (L) x Analuisa (L))
Capricious 1994 Bay (Sky King (L) x Cres-O-Lar’s Creative Genius (L)). Breyer “Aristocrat”
Anticipated Patent 1996 Black (Late Nite’s Anticipation (L) x Patented (L))
Mares
Woodstock Lady Aster 1986 Black (Cadetson’s Choice (L) x Dun Haven Holly (L))
Progeny: 1991 Foxfire One Classi Lady, bay filly
Woodstock Lady Knight 1989 Black (Pow Wow Whata Knight x Woodstock lady Aster)
Desi’s Dee Lite 1990 Bay (Flyer’s Bay Laddie (L) x Iviews Curtain Call (L))
Suddenly Dreamin’ 1990 Shaded Bay (Sudden Appearances (L) x Oakwood Starshine (L))
Dana’s Diamond 1991 Bay (Thundercrest x Black Rose) photo by ?. October Moon Acres
Progeny: 1995 Silky Smooth, Chestnut Filly
Black in Brass 1992 Black Bay (Flame of Fire (L) x Reedan’s Rain Date (L))
Nite’s Burlesque Harmony 1997 Black Bay (Whipporwill’s Nightflight (L) x Burlindy’s Elegant Aire (L))
Lil Red Corvette 2002 Chestnut (Fantasyisle Sheer Spirit [by Heartland Equality] x Fantasyisle Bantego Bay). Bred by Fantasyisle Stables. Breyer OF Heartland Equality.
Shetland
Both American and Classic style are listed here. Described in their listings.
Stallions
Benni’s Black Sonnet 1998 Black American (Wa-Full Bennie Diablo (L) x Red Rock Crescent Sonnet (L))
Black N Blue 1999 Black Bay American (Hickory Blue Chips (L) x Town N Country’s Merrilegs (L))
Mares
Mom’s Mischief 1997 Black American (Harbrooks Mo Mischief (L) x JB’s Marissa’s Surprise (L))
Lifetime Performance 2000 Bay American (Dun Haven Grand Performance (L) x Mardi Gras FMF (L))
Icelandic Ponies
Stallions
Keir 1990 Brown Tobiano (Athenry x Sunndalsora ). Bred by Monifeth Stud.
Stepping Stone 1992 Black (Toggur (L) x Lady (L)).. Bred by Whitney’s Half Acre.
Zippy Zephyr 1992 Dark Bay Tobiano (Keir x Sea Mist). Bred by Whitney’s Half Acre.
Kjenni1998 Light Buckskin (Hemingur (L) x Hjortura (L)).
Mares
Pixiemist 1988 Chestnut Pinto (Talcor x Aglaia), Bred by Shadow Hills Ranch.
Stormwind 1988 Chestnut Minimal Overo (Voss x Kajl) Sire is Palomino, Dam is Red Dun Pinto. Bred by Monifeth Stud.
Progeny: 1993 Redstorm, red roan Colt.
Sea Mist 1989 Silver Black (Winter Sundance x Elisia). Bred by Shadow Hills Ranch.
Progeny: 1992 Zippy Zephyr, Dk Bay Tobiano Colt
1993 Teddy Bear, Chestnut tobiano Colt
1994 Mikeira, Dark Chestnut filly
Kittywink 1993 Black Pinto (Keir x Stella Fra (L)). Bred by Whitney’s Half Acre.
Progeny: 1996 Euphrosyne, Black Tobiano Filly
Golden Shells 1993 Palomino Pinto (Segull Fra Stofa Hof (L) x Ima (L)). Limited pedigree. Bred by Whitney’s Half Acre.
Bunny1993 Brown (Segull Fra Stofa Hof (L) x Menja Fra Hitarnesi (L))
Progeny: 1997 Eros, Strawberry roan colt
Arnica 1994 Silver Dapple (Faldur Fra Toftum (L) x Toppa Fra Austvadsholti (L)). Bred by Whitney’s Half Acre.
Fire 1997 Chestnut (Pokki Fra Bjarnanesi (L) x Spa Fra Feti (L)). Bred by Whitney’s Half Acre.
Miniature Horses
Miniature horses were bred in Europe and England as pets for children of royalty. While still kept as pets today, they also compete in driving and jumping competitions. Minis come in any color imaginable, including pinto and appaloosa. Because they mature quickly, mares are often bred at three, stallions at two. Unfortunately, as the breed has developed, much inbreeding has occurred. I tried to stay away from this trend in my research. I feel the horses below represent the conscious breeding practices that most miniature horse breeders follow today.
To help with color genetics, I have tried to include the colors of the sire and dam. This information gives a wider picture of color possibilities and reflects the limitless variety these horses offer.
Stallions
Renaissance Man 1986 Silver Grey dapple palomino pinto (Hemlock Brook Egyptian King [White Grey] (L) x Cuchara Princess [Grey Pinto] (L)) Limited pedigree. Dam has been instrumental in the establishment of the modern mini. CM Merrylegs.
Sugartime 1991 Grey Snowflake Appaloosa (Brewer’s Orion Prophecy [grey snowflake] (L) x Mini Rainbow Ranch Sweet Ebony Rose [black](L))
Atomic Tobasco 1993 Near Leopard Red Roan Gray’s Loud and Proud [Near Leopard Red Roan] (L) x HNFS Daddy’s Girl [Sorrel Pinto] (L))
Cocktail 1993 Bay Pinto Braur’s Orion Pride [bay pinto](L) x Zsa Zsa Glamour [Palomino Pinto](L))
Canterville Ghost 1995 Palomino pinto (Grampa’s Gambling Man [Bay Pinto] (L) x DSMS Kathy’s Karizma [white grey](L))
Jack Frost 1998 bay appaloosa (Scott Creek Mystical Saber [bay appaloosa] (L) x Sligo Sugar n Spice [Buckskin](L))
Mares
Pine Valley Rosette 1982 Chestnut Overo (Little Bucaneer x Mite Little Bambi) photo by ?. CM Merrylegs.
Progeny: 1986 Llanview Rosette, Silver dapple black overo filly
1987 Roses are Red, chestnut filly
1988 Cartoonist, Palomino Filly
1991 No Flowers Please, Grey colt
Paper Moon1988 Silver Grey (Rhoten’s Little Dandy [silver grey] (L) x Dell Terra’s Star Dust [sorrel] (L))
Honeysuckle Rose 1989 Buckskin (Little King’s Half a Buck [buckskin] (L) x Dell Terra’s Star Dust [Sorrel](L))
Progeny:1992 Tango Til Dawn, Dapple Buckskin Tobiano Filly
1998 Cookies n Cream, Black Pinto Filly
Eve’s Bayou 1991 Bay (Zebulon Van Double Dutch (L) x Dartje Van Double Dutch (L))
La Promesse 1992 Chestnut Overo (Hidden Meadows Teddy Bear (L) x Gold Hill Buckeye (L))
Progeny: 1995 Tango Twist, Bay Tobiano Filly
Love Me Tender 1992 Chestnut Tobiano (Mini Bits Thunder [bay](L) x Unique Bird Van Huttenest [chestnut pinto] (L)) Dam has foundation bloodlines.
Practical Magic 1994 Silver Dapple Tobiano (Little Cake [white] x Star Rose[black]). Bred by Whitney’s Half Acre.
Night Vision 1995 Black (Schmidt’s Lone Star Donka Shane (L) x Struther’s Silver [black](L)) Sire has strong tendancy towards black foals, though his color is unknown at this time.
Progeny: 1998 Key Lime Pie, black Colt.
Malaika 1996 Black Pinto (Flabys Supreme [black pinto] (L) x Grandpa’s Golden Star [palomino] (L))
Newforest Ponies
Stallions
Knight’s Crossing 1987 Dun (Whittensford Thundercloud (L) x Belle Vue Gussie(L)). New mold sm Highland Pony
Woodstock Paladin 1989 light grey (Peveril Peter Piper (L) x Crabbswood Zinnia (L)). Northlight Newforest Pony.
Woodstock Crimson Knight 1990 Chestnut (Ashley Sandy (L) x Ashley Golden Auriole (L)). Northlight Newforest Pony.
Woodstock Lucky Bay 1992 Bay (Beaucandon Brendan (L) x Bakeburn Cindy (L)) May produce Bay, Grey or Chestnut.
Blueberry Bramble 1995 Blue Roan (Buckland Dragon Slayer (L) x Furzey Lodge Susan (L)). Sire is black and Dam is blue roan, with grey. He could produce black, grey, the mare’s color, or roan variation of these.
Mares
Woodstock Bay Maid 1985 bay (Vernon’s Vespers (L) x Peveril Taylor Maid (L)). Sire is grey with roan in his lines, so she could produce grey, roan or her own color, or sire’s color.
Blackberry 1991 Black (Smiler of Sheepwas (L) x Obershade Gypsy Rose (L)). Both parents are black, but Dam has chestnut in her lines, so she could produce chestnut, black or the sire’s color.
Lewick Miss Vicki 1991 Sooty Palomino (Lewick Ripley x Lewick Mifyllin) Sire is forest-bred, dam is a crème. photo by ?. CM Breyer Galiceno Pony. Bred by Lewick Forest.
Clover1992 Fleabit grey (Foxhollow Danny Boy (L) x Furzey Lodge Maytime (L)). Sire has roan in his lines.Northlight Newforest Pony.
Golden Jam 1992 Light Chestnut (Merrie Marmalade (L) x Beacon Guelder Rose (L)). Sire is light chestnut, and has grey and dun in his lines. Mare is grey.
Day Queen 1994 Bay Roan (Deeracres Franco (L0 x Furzey Lodge Sweet Daphne (L)). Sire is chestnut, Dam is bay with roan in her lines.
Welsh Section “A” Ponies
Welsh Ponies, section A’s, do not exceed 12.2 hh and can be any color except skewbald or piebald.
Stallions
Serenity Moth 1994 cream dun (Granby Moth (L) x Granby Belinda (L)). Buckskin, grey and roan in his lines.
Caraway Raffle 1999 roan (Vervale Gangster (L) x Neauddparc Welsh Lady (L)). Grey Chestnut, and Palomino.
Mares
Sunset Glory 1989 palomino (Forlan Brigadier (L) x Ringstead Waitress (L)). Chestnut, roan in addition to the palomino in her lines.
Rock Star Girl 1993 Black Silver Dapple (Young’s Country Rock (L) x Young’s Party Girl (L)).
Welsh “B” Ponies
Section B’s most often stand @ 13.1 hh , but never exceed 14.2 hh and have no lower height limit. They come in numerous colors.
Burnt Treasure 1996 Silver Dapple Chestnut (Lemontree Sea Captain (L) x Benlea Minuet (L)). Chestnut with the silver dapple gene, so he will produce silver dapple every time.
Dragyn 1997 greying chestnut sabino (Benlea Rambler (L) x Zia Rhonwen(L)).Sire is a liver chestnut who is a sabino carrier. Dam is grey.
Notoriety 1999 Black Roan (Rosmel’s Notorious (L) x *Skellorn Chantilly Lace (L)). Dam is imported from the UK. Sire is a bay roan and passes on his roaning quite often.
Tam Borine 2001 Buckskin (Eyarth Tayma (L) x Brookhouse Snowflake(L)).
Mares
Gillian 1993 Black (Smokey Joe x Argus Ebony Image). Breyer Cantering Welsh Pony. Bred by Whitney’s Half Acre.
Sanstone Sprite 1993 Strawberry Roan (Shamrock Sun x Strawberry Pixie)Can produce chestnut or the sire’s color, can also produce bay if bred to a bay, black or buckskin. Breyer “Plain Pixie”. Bred by Whitney’s Half Acre.
Olympic Safire 1995 Dun (Cloe Olympic Jubilee (L) x Bristol Safire (L)). Sire has produced many creme dilutes, roans and grey. Dam is grey, but has produced solids.
Nicollette1999 Dapple Bay (Tammer Coch Caled x Gwenora). Bred by Double Hart Ranch. Sire is a red roan so her foals could produce bay, sire’s color, and roan variations of these. OF Stone pony
Marianna 2004 Palomino Sabino (*Wedderlie Mardi Gras (L) x *Holyoake Anastasia (L)). Sire is a palomino stallion imported from the UK. Dam is a also imported and is a chestnut with high white and wide blaze. The filly produced has a small belly spot, suggesting a sabino marking.
Welsh Section “C” Ponies
Coming Soon!
The Section C Welsh Pony does not exceed 13.2 hh and may be any color except piebald or skewbald. They exhibit the cob type more clearly than the A’s or the B’s, in that they have heavier bone structure and thicker necks, and wider backs. A small but well built riding pony.
Welsh “D” Ponies
Section D’s, also known as Welsh Cobs exceed 13.2 hh with no upper limit.They sometimes exhibit heavier bone structure, much like a light draft horse. But their strongest point is that they excel as riding horses, and often compete well in Dressage.
Stallions
Pendefig Cassanova 1990 Bay (*Cyffylliog Pendefig (L) x Abby’s Holiday (L)). Sire is an imported stallion now retired from breeding, and has shown very successfully. Dam has produced many championship offspring.
Welsh Sensation 1996 Black with high white, wide blaze (Okedon Welsh Flyer (L) x Nocturn’s Crown Sensation (L)). Sire was a foundation Welsh D Stallion. Dam is black with lots of chrome and lots of action. Unique personality!
Welsh Brendan 1998 Cream (Nebo Thomas (L) x Aberlogin Polly (L)). Sire is cream, dam is a palomino.
Mares
Dymanoah 1996 Sooty Palomino (Aberaeron Idris (L) x Aberaeron Dyma Hi (L)). Sire is a sooty palomino.
Honora 1999 Dark Bay, white socks, white face (Windcrest Devin (L) x Honorable). Sire is a striking dark bay stud, who has competed successfully in dressage.
Scotch Pearl 2002 Black Silver Dapple (Golden Scotch x Gristhill’s Perleau Man (L)). Sire is a silver dapple and dam is black. Grand sire and dam have had silver dapple in their lines.