Today in the morning sunshine I noticed that my two resident Icelandic horses had changed…..
….. into Przewalski’s horses!
“Stockily built, smaller, and shorter than its domesticated relatives.”
“They have a dun coat with pangaré features and often have dark primitive markings.” – Wikipedia
Ok, neither Haakon or Iacs don’t particularly have the pangaré markings (“a coat trait found in some horses that features pale hair around the eyes and muzzle and underside of the body”), but in every other aspect they look very prehistoric!
Maybe it’s because Haakon has lost his forelock to something or someone – I have no idea. I think he rubs it off when it is a calm but midgy day.
He used to have a pretty forelock too. Oh well, the black fur surrounded ears are still stunning.
Iacs has the stripes – on his legs like a zebra – which are very apparent when he is in his summer dresses.
Anywho, these two were mooching around when I was in their field with my camera. Dear old men. Still gorgeous.
They are looking very handsome indeed!
Yep, they have always reminded me of Przewalksi’s horses; it would be interesting to see with DNA samples if there is a relatively close link!
Also the dorsal stripe…
They do look like an ancient breed.
I have just started reading “The Winter Horses” about the prezewalski horses and your boys do have some similar characteristics. Your boys and indeed all of your animals are a joy to follow
Very handsome.
They look like cave paintings!
Are the marking on Exmoor Ponies pangare markings?