The origin of the Berber lies in North Africa and goes back far into the early history of the domestication of the horse by humans in the second millennium BC. Already in ancient Greece, later with the Romans and throughout the entire Middle Ages, horses from North Africa and North African mercenaries were the most sought-after tribute goods, spoils of war and diplomatic leverage.
Nomads like the Touareg bred Berbers, probably they even pursued pure breeding. In contrast to other peoples who bred horses, mares were the most valuable animals for them, so that they even slept in the main tent and were (almost) not for sale.
During the colonization by France, the breeding of pure-blooded Berbers was only continued in remote retreat areas of rebels, which is why even today the most genuine types of the breed can be found far away from the state studs in the hinterland.
The population of pure Berbers is very small today, there are no reliable statistics available. Optimistic estimates assume a total population of 2500 horses worldwide.