“The horse was the most important means of travel (and battle) among the Turkish tribes of Central Asia for millennia. They were bred for speed, strength, calmness and intelligence, among the attributes required at various times. These horses, known as Turkoman, are now considered extinct, but they undoubtedly left their genetic legacy behind. Their endurance was such that they were capable of sustaining a trot over many miles, a very useful gait for nomadic groups seeking new pastures and hunting for food, not to mention settling scores with enemies. In an article entitled “On the Foundation Turks,” author Jeremy James writes that the Kipchak Turks owned in excess of two million horses while the Uygurs had so many that only God knew the total.”
The forefathers of the Ottomans entered Anatolia on horseback at roughly the same time as the Seljuk Turks began their conquest. The Battle of Manzikert in August 1071 in which the Turks overwhelmingly defeated a Byzantine army opened the way.”
