Origin of the Alans

[Alanus]

Well, Michael, I think you located the breed closest to the Berel Kurgan 11 horses. The Kabardin arrives from Alan country, just where we would hope to find it. Some Caucasus breeds have been "improved" as breeders strive for a "racehorse," but the Kabardin has many original qualities that would be found in Altai horses. I can't remember where I copied this from but it's right on the money:

"Kabardins have a strongly-built, thick-set body and short powerful limbs. Like many mountain horses, the hind legs are characteristically sickle-shaped. [We see this on the Pazyryk felt hanging and the Orlat Battle Plaque.] The action is energetic and fairly high, as befits a mountain horse that has to pick its way over rough ground. Although not a fast galloper, its walk is even and cadenced, and some Kabardins pace naturally... highly regarded for its very calm and obedient temperament. It stands at around 15 to 15.2 hands high. Kabardins have a remarkable ability to negotiate steep mountain passes, cross rivers, and go through deep snow. They also have an unerring sense of direction, which enables them to find their way through heavy mountain mist."

   

The breed is capable of great feats of endurance. During a trial in the 1930s, following a route encircling the Caucasian Ridge, Kabardins covered 3,000 km, in bad weather, in 33 days, an achievement not equaled by any other breed. Today, at the Malokaracnaev stud farm, they are kept at pasture on the high ground throughout the summer and in the foothills during the winter. This corresponds, precisely, with the vertical pastoralism used in the Altai.

I've discovered more about Kurgan 11 and Altai horse furnishings in general. The horses were positioned in two layers. The first layer (7 horses) was interred with the "king," while the second layer (6 horses) went into the grave years later with the "queen." Each layer contained 2 primary "exhibition dress" horses, the others fitted for warfare or hunting. All the horses exhibited "good fatness." Gala Argent, plus Samashev & Zhumatayev (S&Z), agree that the primary occupation of the Berel people was horse breeding.

   
All Pazyryk culture horses were sacrificed by the same method. "The process of killing animals was deeply symbolic, perhaps comparable to the blow of a beak of the fantastic prey bird-- Griffin-- whose beak was the model for creating striking surface of combat weapon, 'chikan' [sagaris]... Thus, the animals did not experience any other injuries, their body integrity maintained, since horses were supposed to deliver the souls of the dead to the other world." (S&Z). Argent notes the position of the fatal blow on the skull's forehead corresponds with the method American ranchers would shoot a fatally wounded horse-- as quick and painless as possible. The lead horses (those in fancy regalia) were killed first and simultaneously.

The Berel Kurgan 11 examples show a significant attention to "breed." Their skulls were larger than other Altai horses: Berel--490mm; Pazyryk--485mm; Ak-Alaka--475mm; and Ulandryk--468mm. If this data is accurate, the Berel Kurgan 11 couple become prime candidates for Yuezhi horse-breeding elite.

Pazyryk culture saddles were in two basic styles with slight variations incorporated by their makers. Pazyryk-styled saddles have also been found at Subeshi in the Takla Makan. To quote Samashev and Zhumatayev, "This allows, in the context of the numerous findings of "Pazyryk style" saddles with mummified human remains in the deserts of the Tarim and Turfan, to raise the question about the enlargement of the eastern area of Pazyryk culture..."

We also have this from the authors, "Exactlly the same as from Subeshi, nomadic saddles (more narrowly Pazyryk ones), judging by the terracotta figures, were used in the cavalry of Qin Shi Huandi. At the same time, it is possible that these clay models could generally depict a body of warriors-mercenaries from nomad society serving during the unification wars of 228-210 BC in the Qin Shi army..." We can add to this, considering the Qin use of S-shaped cheek-pieces identical to those found in Berel Kurgan 11 and Pazyryk Kurgan 1.

reference, Zaynolla Samashev and Serikovich Zhumatayev, 2015, PDF, online, A Horse Burial Ceremony of Ancient Nomads in Kazak Altay Region. Thanks, Michael and all.