ABOut the breed

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Breed historybreed nowadaysconfo standards
color standardsget your siskeiDiscord

Breed history

look back to the past

Siskei (desert gaiter)

The exact origin of Siskei (also known as Desert Gaiter) horses is still unknown. The history documentation is lacking information, but the earliest premises trace back to dry terrains, that made them evolutionary adaptive to hot temperatures and rugged terrain. It is believed that Siskei horses share ancestors with Arabian and Akhal-Teke horses. The conformation of this breed is perfect for endurance in harsh environment. The sleek and durable silhouette reflect years of natural selection in challenging desert landscape.In old times, thanks to unusual appearance, Siskei were so admired that they were commonly used as a luxury parade horse among the elite. With it’s graceful gait and unusual appearance, it became a symbol of prestige and was often seen near the kings and nobles.
But not only the beauty of Siskei was so admired. Thanks to high level of endurance and great performance on long distances, Siskei proved itself as a perfect messenger horse.
Golden, silver and gemstone beads strung on the hair under the ears are a traditional decoration of this breed. The more the beads, the more esteemed and loved the horse was. Once strung, it stayed there forever, even after the horses death. It was believed that with these beads, the horse could feel its owners love even in the afterlife. These beads have been found in many ancient graves.

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As civilization advanced, the role of messenger horses diminished, which has led to smaller demand for the breed. Not being this useful anymore, the Siskei population experienced a significant reduction. During this time, the Siskei became the song of the past. Along with the societal and civilizational changes, the breed faced the threat of extinction.
Fortunately, the formation of the Siskei Horse Association marked a turning point. Dedicated to preserving the breed, the association did all it could to revive the population and bring the breed back to it’s glory. Through selective breeding initiatives and steady determination, the Siskei Horse Association successfully revitalized the breed, ensuring its survival. Today, thanks to the hard work of association, the Siskei breed is still alive, though it still needs a lot of work to bring the breed back to the great place.

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siskei breed nowadays

Siskei breed is known as a versatile and dependable partner, especially favored for trail riding and endurance competitions. Thanks to their exceptional condition and smooth movement, these horses are especially known for competing long distances. Siskei’s unusually long tail helps them with each movement. This feature serves as a counterweight, helping the horse stay balanced even in the most challenging terrain. This combination of physical traits make Siskei a champion of the trails.In the world of long-distance running, the Siskei is supreme, Their strength, agility and endurance makes them worthy competitors.

Their endurance and stamina make them ideal mounts for riders that enjoy challenging trail rides on tough terrain. Whether navigating forest trails, climbing mountain paths, or crossing vast open plains, the Siskei proves itself again and again as a reliable partner.
While trail riding and endurance events remain their main thing, some breed enthusiasts are exploring the potential of Siskei horses in other disciplines such as dressage or showjumping. With their good movement and athletic build, they show themselves in these disciplines, but their true power still lies in their adaptation to rugged terrains and long distances.

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Conformation standards

Head
Small but proportional to the body. Profile is semi dished (starts right under the eye). The rest of the nose is flat or with the little bump. Nostrils are big and well defined. Forelock should not be short. Ears should not be small and should have long fur on their base.
Neck
Swan, long neck. Stallions tend to have more cresty necks, unlike mares and geldings. Straight, silky mane. Longer fur at the bottom side od the neck.
Body
Agile and slim. Deep chest with fur at the bottom. Defined abdomen.
Legs
Dry, long slim but very strong legs. Pointy pastures. Hind legs are camped out. Long fur on elbows and on back of thighs.
Tail
Unusually long tailbone with long hair.
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Color standards

Base colors

Base colors caused by combination of two genes: Extension (E) and Agouti (A).
Chestnut (ee _ _)
Bay (E_ A_)
Black (E _ aa)

Masking (M)

This gene is special for Siskei. Masking affects mostly head, but also legs, bottom of the chest and the top of rump. Affects mane and tail making them darker.
On Chestnut
On Bay
On Black
(can not express)

Grey (G)

Getting grey hair with horse aging. Masking does not affect grey gene spreading.
Soft grey
Middle grey
Full grey
Soft grey with Masking
Middle grey with Masking
Full grey with Masking



Grey horses can have different "abnormalities", such as fleabitten or bloody shoulder. This second one doesn't neccesarily has to be on the scapula, but it should not be bigger than horses shoulder. These two options are rolled randomly. The owner can leave the rolled option out and make a regular grey if they like.
Normal grey
Fleabitten grey
Bloody shoulder grey

Cream (CR/n)

A dilution gene that lightens red color in the coat. Because of that it does not always appear on black.
On Chestnut
On Bay
On Black
(visible sometimes)
On Chestnut with Masking
On Bay with Masking
On Black with Masking
(visible if the cream gene expresses)

Double Cream (CR/CR)

Double cream dilution causes blue/white eyes and even more diluted body.
On Chestnut
On Bay
On Black
On Chestnut with Masking
On Bay with Masking
On Black with Masking

Dun (D)

A primitive dilution gene that causes light body, primitive markings on legs and dorsal stripe. Mane and tail are often double colored.
On Chestnut
On Bay
On Black
On Chestnut with Masking
On Bay with Masking
On Black with Masking

Champagne (CH)

Dilution gene that causes hazel / light brown eyes and pinkish-grey skin. Very rare in the breed.
On Chestnut
On Bay
On Black
On Chestnut with Masking
On Bay with Masking
On Black with Masking

White Markings

White markings on head or legs. They should not be too big. They are not tracked and the foal can have white markings if one of it's parents has markings too.
Socks
Head markings
Biggest acceptable

Sabino (SB1)

White irregular pattern that covers head and legs in minimal expression and also body in maximal expression. It is forbidden to breed two horses that carry SB1 gene because SB1/SB1 horses cannot be signed to breed registry.

Rabicano (RB)

White ticking on flanks, sometimes in characteristic "stripey" pattern. White hair often show on the base of the tail too.

Roan (RN)

White hair mixed with the base color. Head, legs, mane and tail are not affected and the base color is visible.
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Get your siskei

there are a few ways to get a Siskei



To become a breeder/owner, you have to join the Siskei discord server.

breeding

All you need are two breeding slots: one from a mare and one from a stallion. You can use your own horses, but you can also cut a deal with another breeder!
A mare has one slot per breeding season. Stallions have 3 slots per season, to avoid flooding the population with one ancestor.

imports

Because the breed is still rare and the Association works hard on estabilishing their population, a lot of Siskei horses are brought from desert to enlarge the genetic pool.

buying

You can buy Siskei from one of breeders that has foals / horses for sale.

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Discord

to start playing, join the Siskei server
Join the Siskei server