The Albanian (Albanian: Kali Shqiptar) is the only indigenous horse breed in Albania. It is a small horse, and similar to other Balkan horses. Two types are distinguished, a mountain type and a lowland type, which may be called "Myzeqeja" after the lowland Myzeqeja region.[4]: 11 [2]: 433
History
Before the communist era in Albania, the Albanian horse had a good reputation for endurance and stamina. From 1904 Arab stock was used for cross-breeding;[4]: 11 Haflinger and Nonius stock was later used.[2]: 433
Use
The horse was until recently the principal means of transport in the country, which had no tractors: it was thus essential to the national economy. Horses were used by the Albanian military until 1974. The Albanian horse is used almost exclusively in harness or as a pack animal, and only occasionally for riding.[4]: 11
^ abcdBreed data sheet: Comune/Albania. Domestic Animal Diversity Information System of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Accessed October 2014.