tarpan

/tahr pan"/, n.

a small, dun-colored wild horse chiefly of southern Russia, having a flowing mane and tail: extinct since the early 20th century but somewhat restored by selective breeding of mixed-breed domestic horses, and sustained in zoos.

[1835-45; < Russ tarpán, said to be < Kazakh or Kirghiz]

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▪ European wild horse

      European wild horse that survived in small herds in remote parts of central Europe during the Middle Ages but became extinct early in the 20th century. It is likely that late survivors crossed with domesticated horses. The Munich Zoo produced a tarpan-like horse by selective breeding of domestic horses known to have tarpan ancestry. These specimens are exhibited in zoos in the United States and Europe. They are small, dun-coloured horses with flowing manes and tails.

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