The Don originates from Russia in the steppes around the Don River. Its ancestry dates back to the horses of the nomadic tribes. The Don were left to breed and roam in herds on the pastures of the Don steppes in the 18th and 19th centuries. The very early influences to the breed include Mongolian Nagai (horses of northern Iran), Persian Arabians, Turkmene (desert horse), and the Karabakh. The Don was significantly improved with crosses from the Orlov, the Anglo-Arabian, and the Thoroughbreds. No other outside influence has been introduced since the beginning of the 20th century. The modern Don is tough and can easily work on small amounts of rations, adapt to different climates, and live outside year round. The Don is used to improve other breeds because of their endurance. The Don has been evolved in the breeding of the Budonny and also the Anglo-Don, which was a Thoroughbred and Don cross. The Don stands on average between 15.3 and 16.2 hh. These horses are performance tested at the age of two to three years old. They are tested on the racetrack and under saddle on a long-distance race of 170 miles in less than 24 hours.The best Don horses usually have acceptable conformation, but not always corresponding to the breed standard. These horses are inclined to be long in the leg. The Dob have many faults, which would include low withers with straight, short shoulders and an inclination toward sickle-hocks and upright pasterns or a tail that can be set to low. As a result of this their movements are sometimes restrictive or rough and their paces are not elegant. Even with its numerous faults the Don has proved its value and is a useful workhorse, frugal, enduring, and calm in temperament.