Hunting: The tarpan was hunted for its meat, fur, and leather. This was especially prevalent in the 19th century when the demand for horse meat increased due to the rise of cavalry units in European armies.
Habitat loss: The tarpan's natural habitat, the vast Eurasian steppes, was gradually converted into agricultural land and human settlements. This loss of habitat made it difficult for the tarpan to find food and shelter.
Disease: The tarpan was also susceptible to diseases that were introduced by domestic horses. These diseases included equine influenza, glanders, and anthrax.
Crossbreeding: Tarpan interbred with domestic horses, resulting in the loss of their pure genetic lineage. This further reduced the tarpan population and contributed to its eventual extinction.