 a Kundudo mare onKundudo | |
.jpg) Ploughing with horses in northern Ethiopia | |
| Other names |
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| Country of origin | Ethiopia |
| Distribution | regional |
| Use | |
Ethiopian horses are those breeds or types of horse found in Ethiopia, formerly known as Abyssinia. There are about 2.8 million horses in Ethiopia, more than half the total number in the African continent.[1]: 11 In 2016 Ethiopia reported only the Abyssinian breed toDAD-IS.[2] In 2012 the horses of Ethiopia were characterised into eight distinct breeds or types with different regional distributions, including a gravely-endangered feral population, theKundudo; in 2025 these eight were reported to DAD-IS as recognised breeds.[3]
Horses from Ethiopia, formerly known as Abyssinia, were in the past described as a single type, the "Abyssinian Horse" or "Ethiopian Horse", of variable size, colour andconformation. In 1997 two distinct types, the Oromo and Dongola, were described.[1]: 11 Morphological research published in 2012 characterised eight distinct breeds or types with different regional distributions.[4]: 5 [5]: 1
In 2007 no population data was available to theFAO, and no assessment ofconservation status was made.[6]: 40
Eight distinct breeds or regional types of horse are found in Ethiopia.[4]: 5 [5]: 1
The Abyssinian type or breed is found mostly in the northern part of Ethiopia, particularly in theSemien Mountains in the area ofGondar, in theAmhara Region. It is poorly conformed,sway-backed and heavy in the belly. It is much used in agricultural work.[4]: 10
The Bale breed or type has poor conformation, with a heavy belly and sway back. It is found in highland areas of theBale Zone of theOromia Region, in the southern part of the country.[4]: 10
The Borana is a lowland breed kept by the pastoralBorana Oromo people, particularly in the area of the city ofMegga in southern Ethiopia. It is of good conformation, is alwaysbay, and is not used fordraught work.[4]: 11
The Horro or Horo breed is a poorly-conformed agricultural horse from theHoro area of western Oromia Region, in the west of Ethiopia.[4]: 5
The Kafa is a well-conformed and robust breed from therain-forests ofSheka andKeffa zones of theSouthern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples' Region.[4]: 11
TheKundudo is a gravely-endangered population offeral horses, of unknown origin, from the area of theKundudo plateau near the city ofHarar, in theMisraq Hararghe zone of Oromia.[4]: 11
The Somali, Ogaden or Wilwal is a well-conformed breed from theSomali Region of Ethiopia (the traditionalOgaden), and is concentrated in the area of the city ofJijiga.[4]: 11
The Selale or Oromo is a good breed ofriding horse from theSelale orShewa areas of central Ethiopia.[4]: 9
Ethiopia is one of the poorest countries in the world. About three-quarters of all farms are more than one and a half days' walk from anall-weather road.[7]: 18 Horses,mules and donkeys are essential to transport and horses are extensively used for transport, traction and agricultural work such asploughing.[1]: 11 [4]: 5 Some breeds, in some areas, are used mainly for riding.
Horses by region | |
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| Articles | |
| Lists of breeds | |
