The Hirzai () is a rare Pakistani breed of riding horse. It derives from cross-breeding of Baluchi horses with Arab stock. It is usually grey; other colours occur infrequently. The average height is . In the twenty-first century it is an endangered breed.
History
The Hirzai derives from cross-breeding of Baluchi horses with Arab stock. It is an endangered breed: its conservation status was listed as 'endangered' by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations in 2007, and in 2024 was listed in DAD-IS as 'unknown'. Population data has not been reported since 1988, when it was estimated to be between 100 and head.
Characteristics
The Hirzai stands about at the withers. The coat is usually grey; other colours occur only infrequently.
References Barbara Rischkowsky, Dafydd Pilling (editors) (2007). List of breeds documented in the Global Databank for Animal Genetic Resources, annex to The State of the World's Animal Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture. Rome: Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. . Archived 23 June 2020.
Valerie Porter, Lawrence Alderson, Stephen J.G. Hall, D. Phillip Sponenberg (2016). Mason's World Encyclopedia of Livestock Breeds and Breeding (sixth edition). Wallingford: CABI. .
Breed data sheet: Hirzai / Pakistan (Horse). Domestic Animal Diversity Information System of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Accessed June 2024.
[s.n.] (2003). Country Report on State of Animal Genetic Resources of Pakistan. Annex to: Barbara Rischkowsky, Dafydd Pilling (editors) (2007). The State of the World's Animal Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture. Rome: Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. . Archived 10 January 2017.