A year ago, we traveled to Kyrgyzstan to discover its rich horse culture and the sacred Chaar Appaloosa horse. One of the most thrilling sites we visited was the Aravan Petroglyphs (4th-1st century BCE), seated on the western side of the legendary Fergana Valley with drawings of ancient Fergana “Heavenly” horses. What is remarkably curious about these depictions, beyond being beautiful archaeological evidence of the predecessors of Akhal-Tekes in the region, is that their time of creation and location overlaps with origin stories of the Chaar.

The International Chaar Appaloosa Horse Association wrote about our excursion and why preserving the Central Asian horse heritage surrounding the Chaar may also help to preserve part of the cultural story of the Akhal-Teke.

Read the full article here: Heavenly Horses and the Spotted Chaar: A Connection Through the Ages

The Fergana Valley seen from the Aravan petroglyph site

Pointing out a horse petroglyph carved into the rock at Aravan

Close-up of an ancient horse petroglyph at Aravan

A "Heavenly" horse petroglyph highlighted on the rock face at Aravan

Photos: 1st with Yorke from International association Chaar Appaloosa; others from our own trip collection.