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I Photographed A Zorse – The Hybrid Most People Don’t Think Exists (10 Photos)
Last year, I met an animal which I thought would only exist in my fantasy: a zorse, the hybrid between a zebra stallion and a horse mare. Zuri, the mare you see in the photo, was only 1.5 years old and although I’ve been working as a photographer with horses for over 6 years, this was different from anything I’ve known so far.
The wild instinct is very strong in zorses and I had to rethink a lot of techniques to get the animal’s attention during the session. While a horse is a typical flight animal, a zorse is ready to fight. A horse is curious, a zorse doesn’t want to be bothered, which makes the interaction during photo sessions a challenge. In Africa, zorses are often bred to be trekking animals to transport people and goods through tough landscapes. They are strong, light-feed and very resistant to illness – they combine the best features of both a zebra and a horse.
Outside Africa, where I met this particular zorse, these hybrids are very rare and usually bred for simple lifestyle and visual reasons. Zuri is a sweet mare, with a flicker of wilderness in her eyes and I wanted to create photos that express the proud exotic miracle she is.
More info: Instagram
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Proud crossbreed between a zebra and a horse
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Do you see her marks? Just beautiful!
A sweet mare, as you can see from the soft look on her face
Making of
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What do you think ?
R.s. Potter 6 years ago
It's kind of surprising how few chromosomes zebras have, compared with horses. It almost seem to point to a genetic bottleneck far back in time, perhaps even a near-extinction.
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Max L. 6 years ago
I used to part time in the biggest italian private stable, were we had two. They were born from the free love of two zebra sisters who were left by a circus, not being in condition to barn them properly, and kept in an open fields with several horses, ponies and even a cow, all happy togheter. The first born her father was an argentinian, the second the dad was spanish so we named him "zelu" (a lusitano breed :D). The first was mad when very young, then somewhat assessed and became eventually good. The second one was still too young and her aunt was guarding her sister and the small half breed by kicking "in the air" to warn : if you get any closer, Ill hit you. zebralla-5...eed9e2.jpg 
Max L. 6 years ago
And this is Zelu :) with mom and aunt :) zelu-5d109...9e7731.jpg 
Jeff Requier 6 years ago
So a Mule is what happens when you breed a Horse and donkey but the best you could do for something bred from a Horse and Zebra is Zorse?
Natasha Forchione 6 years ago
Unless you call it a Hebra? Or Hobra? Zerse? LOL
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Aahzmandus Pervect 6 years ago
Such a beautiful animal. But seriously, "most" people think they don't exist? I would argue that most people have never heard of them, but not believing they exist is a bit of a stretch.
Teanna Byerts 6 years ago
Stunning photos! Fabulous equine! (wondering if her horse side is Arabian). It takes a very knowledgeable horseman to handle a zebra/horse cross, this one looks extremely well trained and cared for.
R.s. Potter 6 years ago
It's kind of surprising how few chromosomes zebras have, compared with horses. It almost seem to point to a genetic bottleneck far back in time, perhaps even a near-extinction.
Load More Replies... Max L. 6 years ago
I used to part time in the biggest italian private stable, were we had two. They were born from the free love of two zebra sisters who were left by a circus, not being in condition to barn them properly, and kept in an open fields with several horses, ponies and even a cow, all happy togheter. The first born her father was an argentinian, the second the dad was spanish so we named him "zelu" (a lusitano breed :D). The first was mad when very young, then somewhat assessed and became eventually good. The second one was still too young and her aunt was guarding her sister and the small half breed by kicking "in the air" to warn : if you get any closer, Ill hit you. zebralla-5...eed9e2.jpg
Max L. 6 years ago
And this is Zelu :) with mom and aunt :) zelu-5d109...9e7731.jpg
Jeff Requier 6 years ago
So a Mule is what happens when you breed a Horse and donkey but the best you could do for something bred from a Horse and Zebra is Zorse?
Natasha Forchione 6 years ago
Unless you call it a Hebra? Or Hobra? Zerse? LOL
Load More Replies... Aahzmandus Pervect 6 years ago
Such a beautiful animal. But seriously, "most" people think they don't exist? I would argue that most people have never heard of them, but not believing they exist is a bit of a stretch.
Teanna Byerts 6 years ago
Stunning photos! Fabulous equine! (wondering if her horse side is Arabian). It takes a very knowledgeable horseman to handle a zebra/horse cross, this one looks extremely well trained and cared for.
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