[3]: 507 [2]: 300 The Tersk Stud was established by Semyon Budyonny in 1921 with the aim of re-establishing the horse population of Russia, which was depleted after the events of the Russian Revolution of 1917.

[3]: 507  The two stallions, Tsenitel and Tsilindr, were used on cross-bred mares with Arab, Don, Kabardin and Strelets blood.

To create the Tersk breed, the resulting mares were put to Arab stallions, among them Koheilan IV, Marosh, and Nasim.

[2]: 300  The intent was to create a riding horse of Arab type, but larger and better adapted to extensive management in the taboon system.

[6]: 258  It may be used for endurance riding, in which it excels; in one race over 310 km (190 mi), all participating Tersk horses finished the course without difficulty.