Lokai and Tersk Horses

People usually search for Lokai and Tersk horses when a name in a sale ad doesn’t quite match the horse in front of them, or when they’re trying to understand what a “rare” breed label really means. Getting it wrong can be expensive: the two breeds come from different places, were shaped for different work, and tend to show different strengths under saddle.

Below is a clear, practical look at what each breed is, where it comes from, how to tell them apart in broad strokes, and what that means for riding, care, and conservation.

At a glance: Lokai vs Tersk

• Lokai: a tough, mountain-bred riding and pack horse from Tajikistan, traditionally used for transport, local racing and games, and hard work in steep country.¹
• Tersk: a Russian light riding horse of strong Arabian type, developed at the Tersk Stud in the North Caucasus (roughly 1925–1940) and officially recognised in 1948.^{2, 3}

Quick breed profile (corrected)

Lokai (Tajikistan)^{1, 4}
Typically a compact, hardy saddle-and-pack type; many are around the mid-140 cm range at the wither. Coat colours commonly include bay, chestnut and grey. Type can be variable, reflecting local breeding and function-first selection.

Tersk (Russia)^{2, 5}
A refined, athletic saddle horse close in outline to the Arabian, often seen in grey as well as bay and chestnut. Many stand around the high-150s to about 160 cm, with a lighter, cleaner look than most mountain breeds.

Origins and history

Lokai: shaped by mountains and distance

The Lokai was developed in central and southern Tajikistan, influenced by local mountain horses and later by several Central Asian and imported bloodlines. The aim wasn’t show-ring uniformity. It was to produce an animal that could keep moving—loaded, ridden, and often at altitude—on narrow tracks and broken ground.^{1, 4}

Tersk: a Russian Arabian-type riding horse

The Tersk was bred in the North Caucasus at the Tersk Stud and related studs, using a small foundation group (including surviving Strelets horses and Arab-influenced crosses) and adding Arabian stallions to create a larger, locally adapted “Arab-type” riding horse. The breed was officially recognised in 1948.^{2, 3, 5}

Physical characteristics (what you can actually notice)

Lokai

Lokai horses are often described as short and strong for their height, with a practical build and hard feet. They may not look consistent from one animal to the next, and that variability is part of the story: they were selected to work first, and to cope with sparse feed, weather, and long days under saddle or pack.⁴

Tersk

Tersk horses tend to show a cleaner, more “Arabian” outline: finer skin and hair, a lighter head, a higher-set neck, and a smooth, efficient way of going. The build is riding-horse athletic rather than packhorse compact, which is why the breed is commonly associated with sport and performance uses (including endurance).^{2, 5}

Temperament and trainability

Individual temperament always matters more than breed labels, but the traditional selection pressures are worth keeping in mind:

• Lokai: bred to be tough and workable in demanding conditions; often described as hardy and enduring, with maturity that can come a little later when raised in harsher environments.⁴
• Tersk: selected as a riding horse with Arabian influence—typically quick to learn, responsive, and athletic when handled with quiet consistency.⁵

Common uses today

Lokai

Traditionally used for riding and pack work in mountainous regions, and also for local racing and national games such as kokpar (kok-par). In practical terms, they suit riders who value sure-footedness, stamina, and resilience over polish.^{1, 4}

Tersk

The Tersk is widely described as suitable for a range of ridden disciplines, including dressage, show-jumping and eventing, and is also noted for endurance ability. Its build and way of going often suit riders looking for a lighter, more refined sport type with staying power.^{2, 5}

Breeding and care: what matters (and what to be cautious about)

Both breeds benefit from the same fundamentals—sound nutrition, hoof care, progressive conditioning, and low-stress training—but there are a few practical cautions:

• Don’t breed on a name alone. If a horse is being marketed as Lokai or Tersk, ask for registry papers or stud documentation. Where documentation is thin, treat the “breed” as a best guess and assess the individual horse.
• Be conservative with young horses. Lokai, in particular, are noted as later maturing in traditional conditions. Rushing workload can cost you years later on.⁴
• Match tack to conformation. Tersk horses can have finer withers and a more “blood” type shape; Lokai can be broader and more compact. Saddle fit needs to be checked on the horse you have, not the breed description.

Conservation and population pressures

Small populations become fragile quickly, especially when breeding is narrow or when economic pressure pushes crossbreeding. The Tersk has been listed by the FAO as endangered (noting 2007 reporting). That’s a reminder that “rare” can mean vulnerable, not simply unusual.^{2, 6}

Common misconceptions (fixed)

• “Lokai and Tersk are both Russian Caucasus breeds.” No. The Tersk is Russian (North Caucasus); the Lokai is from Tajikistan in Central Asia.^{1, 2}
• “Lokai is 500–600 kg.” That’s generally too heavy for a small mountain saddle-and-pack type; reputable breed summaries describe a smaller, lighter horse (often mid-140 cm at the wither).⁴
• “A curly coat defines Lokai.” Some Lokai may show characteristic curling of the hair, but it isn’t universal and shouldn’t be treated as a simple breed test. Even discussions of curly-coated horses treat Lokai curl as an occasional trait, not a guarantee.^{4, 7}
• “There’s an International Lokai and Tersk Horse Conservation Trust.” No reputable, widely recognised body by that exact name is evident in standard breed references; treat any such claim cautiously unless it can be verified through recognised registries or major conservation organisations.

Riding and competing: opportunities and limits

Seen in the right light, both breeds are specialists.

• If you want a refined sport type with an Arabian flavour—light, quick, efficient—Tersk is the closer match on paper.^{2, 5}
• If you need a durable doer for steep trails, long hours, and practical work, the Lokai’s background points that way.^{1, 4}

In both cases, the individual horse still decides the outcome: soundness, training history, feet, and temperament will outweigh a label every time.

References

1. Lokai (breed overview) — Wikipedia
2. Tersk horse (history, characteristics, FAO status note) — Wikipedia
3. Tersk Stud (background on the stud) — Wikipedia
4. Lokai Horses — Oklahoma State University, Breeds of Livestock
5. Tersk Horses — Oklahoma State University, Breeds of Livestock
6. DAD-IS (Domestic Animal Diversity Information System) — Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
7. Bashkir Curly Horses (notes mentioning Lokai curl as an occasional trait) — Oklahoma State University, Breeds of Livestock
8. Tersk horse — breed development and recognition details (History section)