The Russian Don Horse's origins as a horse bred for cavalry comes through in its impressive stature and strength. Though large, the general appearance of the horse is eastern, showcasing the Arabian influence on its bloodline. The head is medium sized and leads to a broad and straight back. The front legs are muscular, but the shoulders are upright, which can sometimes cause a choppy stride.

A Russian Don Horse also shows a straight croup - the line running from the top of the tail to the highest point on the horse's hindquarters. And though the horse used to be known for having weaker thigh and quarter muscles, this defect has been mostly bred out. Aesthetically, they are normally brown or chestnut and don't have any feathering on the legs.

The Russian Don Horse is unique in that it combines the spirit of an eastern horse, but the calm and gentle temperament of a more European breed. The horse is courageous and feisty, but still gentle, trusting and willing. This pleasant combination makes it a popular horse for riding, light draft work, and endurance racing – a sport that requires not only stamina, but a solid bond between rider and horse.

Named after the steppes of Russia where the Don River flows, the Russian Don is as hardy and strong as its homeland. The breed didn't really begin to develop into its present-day conformation until the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries when Mongolian, Akhal-Teke and Turkoman crosses were introduced to improve the horse.

The Russian Don was selectively bred as a cavalry horse and was the choice of Cossacks who drove Napoleon from Russian. The Thoroughbred and Arabian blood wasn't added until a century later, in an attempt to give the breed speed, more powerful hindquarters, and a generally improved shape.

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