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Commonly referred to as the Israeli Local Horse, the Israeli is mainly used for riding. It remains one of the most popular horses in Israel.

Physical Characteristics

The coat colors present in most Israeli local horses are bay, gray, and chestnut, though some Israeli horses have multi-colored coats. The Israeli has a convex profile, an elongated head, a shallow chest, and tough, sturdy hooves. Its average height is about 14.1 to 15.1 hands (56-60 inches, 142-152 centimeters).

Personality and Temperament

The Israeli horse is docile and obedient. It shows great patience and it is easy to control and manage.

History and Background

The Israeli Local Horse is a product of the numerous religious and political conflicts that make up the history of Israel, but more specifically, it is a result of crossing various breeds.

The base stock came from local horses that have been there for many centuries; in fact, some experts believe this breed share ancestry with the present-day Arab horse. Ultimately, the horses adapted to the local environment and became wholly fit for the Israeli countryside.

Through the years, various peoples came to Israel for conquest and other purposes. They brought their own horses with them. These horses were crossed with the then-local stock. The Israeli horse is the result of the continuous and highly unregulated crossbreeding efforts.

The stock that gave rise to the Israeli horse came from Europe, the United States, Hungary, and many other places. Some of the notable horse breeds that have been used in the development of the Israeli are the Hungarian Shaqya, the Norwegian Fjord and Yugoslavian horses. Warmblood horses, Trakehners, Hanoverians, and Tennessee Walking Horses also influenced the Israeli breed.