North Khorasan – North Khorasan province, located in northeast of Iran, has begun issuing birth certificates for its prized equines in efforts to enhance breed standards and ensure official recognition of purebred horses, according to a provincial official.

 

Mehdi Shekari, Deputy Director of Livestock Production Improvement at the province’s Agricultural Organization, highlighted the initiative as a critical step toward genetic preservation and industry growth.

 

"This certification program is a strategic effort to elevate the quality of our equine sector," he said.  

 

"Through advanced genomic analysis, we can now verify breed purity, assess genetic health, and identify optimal breeding potential with unprecedented precision. These credentials will not only validate the horses’ lineage but also open doors for them in national and international competitions."

 

North Khorasan boasts a rich heritage in breeding Turkmen horses, renowned for their endurance and distinctive traits; However, Shekari stressed the need for modern genetic tools to strengthen the province’s standing in competitive breeding markets.

 

"Genotyping will serve as the scientific backbone of this initiative, ensuring transparency and credibility," he explained.