Continent: Asia
Country: Tajikistan
Weight: 350 – 420 kg
Height: 142 – 150 cm
The Lokai originates from the mountainous regions of central and southern Tajikistan, particularly in the Khatlon province, where it has been bred for several centuries.
The breed was developed by the Uzbek Lokai tribe, who selected this horse after migrating from the shores of the Aral Sea. Its development is based on crossings between local mountain strains and several Central Asian breeds: Jomud, Karabair, Turkmen horses, Akhal-Teke, and later Arabian horses from Bukhara, Thoroughbreds, and Tersky.
The Lokai originates from the mountainous areas of central and southern Tajikistan, where it has traditionally been bred. The most frequently cited region is the Khatlon province, known for its steep relief and hot, dry climate.
The Lokai is also found in some mountain zones of Uzbekistan, especially near the southern border. This presence is documented, though breeding density is significantly lower than in Tajikistan.
Despite its hardiness, the breed has not spread widely internationally and remains mainly concentrated in Tajikistan, where it is still commonly used for riding, pack work, and traditional sports such as kokpar.
The Lokai represents a unique genetic reservoir among Central Asian horses, as it has been selected for centuries in the mountain regions of Tajikistan, between 2,000 and 4,000 meters. This evolution in a harsh environment helped fix genes linked to hardiness, agility, and endurance, traits especially valued for work horses and mounts used on difficult terrain.
The breed results from historical crossings between local mountain strains and several Central Asian lines: Jomud, Karabair, Turkmen horses, Akhal-Teke, with later contributions from Arabian horses from Bukhara, Thoroughbreds, and Tersky.
This combination makes it a genetically varied horse with a heavier bone structure and a more robust build than neighbouring Arabian horses.
Thanks to its agility, sure-footedness, and tolerance to hot and dry climates, the Lokai offers valuable genetic material to improve horses used for mountain work, long-distance trekking, or utility work in rugged regions.
The Lokai also contributed to the development of the Tajik saddle type, created from crossings with Arabians and Thoroughbreds. This role makes it a central genetic contributor within the region.
The origins of the Lokai are ancient but poorly documented. Some sources suggest it may be a distant descendant of Hittite horses, introduced to the region after the fall of their empire around 1200 BCE.
The breed comes from the mountain regions of central and southern Tajikistan, where it has been used for riding, pack work, and travel through difficult terrain for centuries. Selection focused on resistance, sure-footedness, and agility.
The modern development of the breed is attributed to the Uzbek Lokai tribe, which migrated eastward from the shores of the Aral Sea. They crossed local horses with various Central Asian breeds to strengthen functional qualities.
The breed formed from numerous genetic inputs:
Later additions:
This diversity explains the breed’s morphological variation and strong bone structure.
Some sources mention the Lokai as early as the 16th century, confirming its long historical presence in the region.
A notable genetic discovery: Some Lokaïs have a naturally curly coat, traced back to a stallion named Farfor (used 1955–1970). It appears that the gene found in American Curly horses may have come from a Lokai imported in 1874, rather than from the Russian Bashkir horse, as previously believed.
Historically, the Lokai has been used for:
These uses preserved its functional traits.
In recent decades, the Lokai has been crossed with Arabians and Thoroughbreds to produce a more modern Tajik saddle type, used for riding and regional competitions. This gives the Lokai a central role in Tajik equine breeding.
The Lokai shows great endurance, strengthened by life in the mountains (2,000–4,000 m). It also displays natural agility, essential on steep and uneven terrain.
Sources describe the Lokai as lively, with good reactivity, matching its use in dynamic activities like kokpar and local racing.
The Lokai has good tolerance to hot climates, a common trait among high-altitude Central Asian horses.
The breed is known to bond strongly with a single rider, a trait explicitly mentioned in sources. This makes it loyal, though it may require a more personalized relationship.
When raised in mountain conditions with limited feed, the Lokai matures more slowly, but becomes generally calmer and more balanced when raised with better nutrition and care.
The Lokai remains very common in its home country, especially in the mountain regions of Tajikistan, where it is used for riding, pack work, rural transport, and traditional games like kokpar. This daily use helps maintain the breed naturally.
Its hardiness, agility, and endurance keep the Lokai valued in rural Tajik communities. Its role in developing the modern Tajik saddle horse confirms its ongoing genetic value for local breeding programs.
There is no significant expansion outside Central Asia. The breed remains little known, with no structured international conservation program and no identified official stud-book, which limits long-term visibility and protection.
With increasing use of Arabian and Thoroughbred stallions in the region, there is a risk of diluting the original type, a pattern already observed in other Central Asian breeds.
Tourism (trekking, mountain riding), cultural heritage promotion, or endurance sport could offer opportunities for increased visibility. However, no official initiatives currently exist.
Sources describe the Lokai as a hardy horse, capable of living and working in the mountain regions of Tajikistan between 2,000 and 4,000 meters. This natural adaptation suggests strong physical resilience, sustained work capacity, and excellent tolerance to challenging terrain and climate variations.
