Two towns in the remote Russian republic of Yakutia, Tomtor and Oymyakon, compete for the title of the coldest inhabited place on Earth, with winter temperatures reaching as low as minus 71 degrees Celsius. The region has another claim to fame as well; it’s the home of the Yakut horse, sometimes known simply as the Yakut, a rare native breed with an exceptional ability to withstand the cold. These photos show the hardy horses in their winter habitat as temperatures dipped down to minus 55 degrees.
The Coldest Horses In The World
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A Yakut horse at a breeders' farm close to the village of Tomtor. Raising horses is one of the main sources of income for many residents of the region.
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The village of Tomtor, one of the coldest inhabited places on Earth, seen from a nearby mountain.
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A visitor at "The Pole of Cold" marker in the village of Oymyakon
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Yakut horses are well-adapted to the extreme cold. One of their traits is the ability to find vegetation to graze on under the deep snow.
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Yakut horses are raised for their meat as well as for their labor. Horse makes up at least a quarter of annual meat consumption for many residents of Yakutia.
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A farm near the village of Tomtor
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At minus 57 degrees Celsius, hot water thrown into the air turns immediately into ice crystals.
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The low afternoon sun over Oymyakon
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Frozen clothes hang on the line in Oymyakon.
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Small, sturdy Yakut horses graze near Tomtor.
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A breeder prepares to weigh his horses.
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