Chinese Mongolian horse

Last updated • 7 min readFrom Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia
Chinese Mongol horse
Huitengxile wind farm 873472543.jpg
Mare and foal in Inner Mongolia
Country of originInner Mongolia, China
UseSaddle horse, mare milk, horse meat, and packhorse
Traits
Weight
  • From 300 kg to 360 kg
Height
  • From 1.22 m to 1.42 m
ColorBay, black, and gray

The Chinese Mongolian (simplified Chinese: 蒙古马; traditional Chinese: 蒙古馬; pinyin: Ménggǔ mǎ) is a breed of horse, corresponding to the population of Mongolian horses that remained in China after Mongolia's independence in 1910. Possibly descended from Przewalski's horse, it has been domesticated since ancient times. As of 1982, Chinese Mongolian horses comprised about one-third of all horses in China. However, their numbers have declined sharply in recent decades, largely due to the rise of mechanized transport and changing lifestyles.

Contents

Characterized as a small, sturdy horse with exceptional endurance, the Chinese Mongolian is categorized into four types: Ujumqin, Abaga, Baicha, and Wushen. These horses are commonly used for riding and as packhorses to transport local people. Additionally, mares produce milk, which is harvested and consumed as a traditional beverage. While the breed is primarily found in Inner Mongolia, it also exists in smaller numbers in neighboring areas.

History

Chinese painting of a Mongolian horse rider painted during the Ming dynasty, in the 15th or 16th century MongolArcher.jpg
Chinese painting of a Mongolian horse rider painted during the Ming dynasty, in the 15th or 16th century

Although Mongolian horse populations share the same genetic origin, they are bred differently in Mongolia (Outer Mongolia) and China (Inner Mongolia), which justifies the distinction between the two breeds: Mongolian horse and Chinese Mongolian horse. [1] Both breeds are among the oldest horse breeds in the world, [2] with estimates suggesting domestication occurred on the Mongolian plateau around 2000 BC. [3] However, mitochondrial DNA studies indicate that horses may have been domesticated in present-day northern China as early as 4000 to 5000 BC. [2] These studies suggest a close genetic relationship to Przewalski's horse, indicating that some Chinese Mongolian horses may be descended from it. Overall, the Chinese Mongolian horse appears to descend from multiple maternal lines and is genetically very similar to the Mongolian horse. [4]

By the 7th century, the small Mongolian horse was widely present across the steppes of what is now northern China. [5] Out-breedings occurred as a result of diplomatic gifts from Central Asian kingdoms, but during this period, the Mongolian horse was not favored by the Chinese imperial court, which preferred larger, more refined horses from Persia (Iran) and Central Asia. [5] Under the Song dynasty, the Mongolian horse spread throughout China's three northern provinces, [2] reaching an estimated population of 40,000 by the end of the Qing dynasty. [6]

The cultural significance of the Mongolian horse in China increased markedly after the Tang dynasty, particularly between the 13th and 16th centuries, as evidenced by artistic depictions from the Yuan and Ming dynasties. [5] Trade between China and Mongolia flourished during this time, with a substantial portion of the China-Mongolia border dedicated to the trade of horses and sheep. Mongolian herders frequently exchanged their horses for silk, satin, cotton, needles, and other goods. [7]

After the independence of Outer Mongolia in 1910, Mongolian horses from Inner Mongolia gradually spread to neighboring provinces, and experiments to "improve" the breed were carried out by the Chinese. However, these "improved" horses remained a distinct minority. [2] The theoretical separation of the Mongolian and Chinese Mongolian horse is a relatively recent phenomenon, emerging over the last century, which helps explain the close genetic relationship between the two breeds. [4] The Chinese Mongolian horse has historically been widespread in the plains of Inner Mongolia, where it is raised in large semi-wild herds following traditional herding practices. In 1982, the population was estimated at 1.7 million, comprising one-third of all horses in China. [8] By 2005, the number of horses had more than halved due to advances in motorization and the reduction in available grazing areas. Since then, the breed's decline and associated traditions have continued. [9]

Description

Chestnut horses ridden for tourism in Inner Mongolia Saturday morning1.jpg
Chestnut horses ridden for tourism in Inner Mongolia

The Chinese Mongolian horse is modeled similarly to the Mongolian horse and is regarded locally as a horse rather than a pony. [10] It features a rectilinear head profile, [10] characterized by a broad forehead, open nostrils, protruding eyes, and long ears. [11] The neck is short and muscular, the chest is deep, and the shoulder is fairly sloping and robust. The withers are not very prominent; the back is short, solid, and straight. The croup is long and sloping. [10] The legs are short, strong, and solid. [9] The breed is renowned for its solid constitution. [11] The average height is approximately 1.28 meters, with mares averaging 1.27 meters and males 1.30 meters. [8] Weight ranges from 300 to 360 kg, with males averaging 360 kg and females 300 kg. [8] Variations in size exist depending on the type; [12] for instance, a 2007 study by the University of Oklahoma reported a height range of 1.21 to 1.42 meters, [1] while a 2016 study by CAB International reported a range of 1.22 to 1.42 meters. [9] Size tends to increase significantly under favorable environmental conditions. [10]

Coats

The Chinese Mongolian horse exhibits a wide range of coat colors, with bay, black, chestnut, and gray being the most common, although rare instances of white horses have been noted. [8] [10] All coat colors can potentially be found within the breed. [9]

Temperament and care

The breeding method for the Chinese Mongolian horse is semi-wild, allowing young horses to be quickly trained to respond to rider commands. While some authors describe the breed as temperamental, it is generally reputed to have a good temperament and is often ridden by children. [3] Chinese Mongolian horses demonstrate excellent stamina, capable of covering 120 km in less than 8 hours and 28 to 30 km in 35 to 40 minutes. [9] The breed is well-adapted to a wide range of temperatures, [10] from -50 to 35 °C. [8] In winter, these horses dig through up to 40 cm of snow to find food. [9] They are raised extensively, without free access to water, in nomadic or transhumant systems. [8]

Horses in taboon at Hulunbuir Hulunbuir.chevaux sauvages.jpg
Horses in taboon at Hulunbuir

Types

There are four known types of Chinese Mongolian horses: the Abaga, the Baicha, the Ujumqin, and the Wushen. [9] The Baicha is a small, sturdy mountain horse on the verge of extinction, originally from central-western Inner Mongolia. It was once known as the "iron-hoofed horse", thanks to its sure-footedness in all types of terrain. [13] Among the different types, the Ujumqin and Wushen are the most genetically related, [10] despite the considerable geographical distance between their breeding areas. This genetic similarity is likely due to the exchange of breeding stock among breeders. [14]

Abaga

The Abaga (simplified Chinese: 阿巴加马; traditional Chinese: 阿巴加馬; pinyin: Abaga) averages 1.36 m to 1.40 m in height and is predominantly black, more rarely dark bay. [15] It comes from the Abag Banner in the Xilingol League. [13] [15] The Delachaux guide (2014) refers to this breed under the erroneous name of "Agaba". [15] The CAB International book, which is more reliable overall, does refer to the breed as "Abaga", [16] as do scientific publications on the subject. [17]

Ujumqin

The Ujumqin type (simplified Chinese: 乌珠穆沁马; traditional Chinese: 烏珠穆沁馬; pinyin: Wū zhū mù qìn mǎ, also named "Wuchumutsin" [18] and "Wuzhumuqin" [10] ), is found in the Xilingol League region of eastern Inner Mongolia. Considered more elegant, it reaches a higher height. [10] [12] [13] [18] Better conformed thanks to the quality of the grass in its native territory, [13] it is mainly used as a saddle horse. [8] An "improved" version of the Mongolian horse, it features the steppe horse type [10] and a light model. It has a remarkable aptitude for work. [18]

Wushen

The Wushen type is relatively small, averaging 1.22 m in height. [12] There are around 18,000 of these horses in the western and central steppes of Inner Mongolia, [10] particularly in the Otog Banner around Ordos. [14] Its distinctive features include extra gaits and a dry model. [13]

Genetic analysis

A study on the average nucleotide mutation rate in the D-loop of mitochondrial DNA across four Chinese Mongolian horses revealed a mutation rate of 3.69%. In comparison, the mutation rate in Thoroughbreds is 4%. [19]

Usage

Horse rider in Inner Mongolia, circa Huitengxile Huitengxile wind farm 874317300.jpg
Horse rider in Inner Mongolia, circa Huitengxile

The Chinese Mongolian horse is primarily utilized for riding and the production of mare's milk in Inner Mongolia, where mares are typically milked five times a day. [10] Record milk production during a single lactation can exceed 300 to 400 kg. [9] The meat from these horses can be eaten, representing a vital product for the nomadic population. [10] In other provinces, Chinese Mongolian horses are also used as packhorses, [12] noted for their ability to carry heavy loads while foraging for their food. [9]

Chinese Mongolian horses are often employed in crossbreeding programs to produce "improved" breeds, such as the Sanhe. [20] However, the Sanhe is genetically quite distinct from its ancestor. [14]

Breeding spread

There is artistic, documentary, and archaeological evidence suggesting the possible presence of Chinese-type horses in North America prior to the 2nd millennium CE. [21]

A hundred Chinese Mongolian horses near Bashang 100 over horses, Bashang.jpg
A hundred Chinese Mongolian horses near Bashang

According to the FAO, the population of Chinese Mongolian horses was estimated to be between 50,000 and 86,700 in 2005. Although the breed is not considered endangered, it is subject to monitoring. [8]

The Chinese Mongolian mainly inhabits Inner Mongolia, but also various regions of northern China, such as western Heilongjiang, [3] Gansu, Xinjiang, and Qinghai. [8]

In culture

The Chinese Mongolian horse is present in modern Chinese literature, notably in Chinese-language poems that draw on Mongolian ethnic traditions, such as the 1993 poem Menggu ma by A'ertai. [22]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Exmoor pony</span> British breed of horse

The Exmoor Pony is a British breed of pony or small horse. It is one of the mountain and moorland pony breeds native to the British Isles, and so falls within the larger Celtic group of European ponies. It originates on, and is named for, the Exmoor area of moorland in north-eastern Devon and western Somerset, in south-west England, and is well adapted to the climate conditions and poor grazing of the moor. Some still live there in a near-feral state, but most are in private ownership.

Xilinhot is a county-level city which serves as the seat of government for the Xilingol League in Inner Mongolia, China. In 2010, it has a jurisdiction area of 14,785 km2 (5,709 sq mi) and a population of 245,886; 149,000 people live in the Xilinhot urban area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mare</span> Female horse

A mare is an adult female horse or other equine. In most cases, a mare is a female horse over the age of three, and a filly is a female horse three and younger. In Thoroughbred horse racing, a mare is defined as a female horse more than four years old. The word can also be used for other female equine animals, particularly mules and zebras, but a female donkey is usually called a "jenny". A broodmare is a mare used for breeding.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Novokirghiz</span> Kyrgyz breed of horse

The Novokirghiz or New Kirghiz is a modern Kyrgyz breed of horse. It was developed in the Kirghiz Soviet Socialist Republic in the mid-twentieth century through cross-breeding of the traditional Kyrgyz Horse of the region with introduced horses of Thoroughbred, Don and Anglo-Don stock.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Java Pony</span> Breed of horse

The Java pony is a breed of pony developed on the island of Java in Indonesia. It is thought to have descended from wild forebears of Mongolian Wild Horse ancestry. It is larger and stronger than the Timor pony, with more Arabian breed influence.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Miyako horse</span> Breed of horse

The Miyako is a rare breed of horse originating from Miyako Island, in Japan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yakutian horse</span> Breed of horse

The Yakutian or Yakut is a native horse breed from the Siberian Sakha Republic region. It is large compared to the otherwise similar Mongolian horse and Przewalski's horse. It is noted for its adaptation to the extreme cold climate of Yakutia, including the ability to locate and graze on vegetation that is under deep snow cover, and to survive without shelter in temperatures that reach −70 °C (−94 °F).

Abag Banner is a county of Inner Mongolia, China. It is under the administration of Xilingol League. Abaga and Abaganar Mongols live here. The local dialect has variously been classified as Chakhar or Khalkha.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Baise horse</span> Breed of horse

The Baise is a pony-sized horse breed native to the autonomous region of Guangxi, in southeastern China. Like other Asian breeds, it thrives at high altitudes and roams freely when not working. Guangxi's mild climate has long favored horse breeding; bronze statues from the third to the first centuries BCE exist of horses very similar in conformation to the Baise.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hequ horse</span> Breed of horse

The Hequ horse, previously called the Nanfan, is a horse breed native to the northwestern Tibetan plateau. Its ancestry traces to the Tang Dynasty, influenced by the Tibetan Pony, the Ferghana and the Mongolian horse. It was given its present name in 1954, from the Chinese word for its native region on the first loop of the Yellow River. Once common, the Hequ fell victim to Chinese policy and the mechanization of transportation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yushu horse</span> Native equine from Tibet

Yushu is a horse breed originating from the Tibetan autonomous prefecture of Yushu in Tibet, administratively located in Qinghai, China. It is a local variety of the Tibetan pony. About its measurements, it is medium-sized and one of the few horse breeds that have the champagne gene. Its breeding was discouraged by Chinese authorities in the 1990s. Fit for the saddle, Yushu is adapted to its highland environment. It has been the subject of several studies on its genetic diversity and blood composition. The breed has become rare today, although it is not considered endangered by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). It is honored every year at a major equestrian festival, which attracts thousands of spectators.

The Datong is a Chinese breed of small horse or pony native to northern Qinghai. It is a sturdy pony, well adapted to life at high altitudes. As with several other Chinese horse breeds, the population is in decline.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tuva horse</span> Russian horse breed

The Tuva is a breed of small saddle horses native to the Tuva region of Russia. Classified among the "Siberian pony" family, it proves to be much closer to the Mongolian horse, having lived relatively isolated from other Asian and Eastern European horses. It has long been ridden by the nomadic horse riders of its region, for breeding and hunting. At the end of the 19th century, mineral extraction led to the import of draft horses and saddles, giving rise through crossbreeding to the Upper Yenisei horse, now very rare, and the Tuva carriage horse, now extinct.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Horses in Chinese culture</span> Equine culture in China

In China, horses hold a significant presence, both in terms of physical populations and their representation in art and cultural beliefs, particularly in relation to astrology. In 1985, China had the largest horse population in the world, with approximately 11 million horses. The country is also recognized as the origin of the post-house system in Eurasia, which facilitated communication and transportation. Since the 2000s, the sport and leisure riding sectors have been developing in China, primarily catering to affluent individuals.

The Abaga is a type of Chinese Mongolian horse. Characterized by its generally black coat, it is also larger and faster than the latter, due to its selection for racing.

The Chaidamu is a breed of horse native to Qinghai, Tibet and China. Closely related to the Mongolian horse, this working pony is mainly used for pulling. It has been in serious decline since the end of the 20th century, mainly due to the desertification of the Qaidam Basin.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ujumqin horse</span> Chinese horse breed description

The Ujumqin is a type of Chinese Mongolian horse. Larger and reputedly better conformed than other horses of this breed, it is mainly ridden, the mares being milked for their milk.

The Shandan is a versatile horse breed originating from the unique Shandan stud farm, located in China's Qilian Mountains. This military stud has an ancient breeding tradition dating back to antiquity. The breed was created in the 1930s from numerous crosses between Chinese horses and the Russian Don horse. Long bred for military riding and pulling, it is now used for tourism.

The Adai is a horse breed utilized for riding and light draft work. It is indigenous to the desert regions of south-west of Kazakhstan and represents one of the two types of the Kazakh breed, along with the Jabe. The Adai is generally finer and less hardy than the Jabe, categorized as an "Oriental Turk" type. This breed is primarily employed in local equestrian sports and herding activities, and mares are also milked for their milk. While the Adai is occasionally slaughtered for its meat, this serves as a secondary purpose. Although relatively unknown outside its native region, the Adai has spread to neighboring Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, with a population of nearly 29,000 horses reported in 1990.

References

  1. 1 2 Hendricks (2007 , p. 126)
  2. 1 2 3 4 Li et al. (2008 , p. 1696)
  3. 1 2 3 Hendricks (2007 , p. 127)
  4. 1 2 Li et al. (2008 , p. 1701)
  5. 1 2 3 Gernet, Jacques (1996). A History of Chinese Civilization. Cambridge University Press. p. 801. ISBN   0-521-49781-7.
  6. Mang, L. (2005). "Wuzhumuqin horse-outstanding species on Xilingoluo grasslands". China-Collection Industry. pp. 77–80.
  7. Twitchett, Denis; Mote, Frederick (1998). The Cambridge History of China. Vol. 8. Cambridge University Press. p. 241. ISBN   0-521-24333-5.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "Mongolian/China". Domestic Animal Diversity Information System of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Retrieved 3 October 2015.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Porter et al. (2016 , p. 452)
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Hendricks (2007 , p. 128)
  11. 1 2 Puel (1989 , p. 28)
  12. 1 2 3 4 Puel (1989 , p. 31)
  13. 1 2 3 4 5 Porter et al. (2016 , p. 453)
  14. 1 2 3 Li et al. (2008 , p. 1702)
  15. 1 2 3 Rousseau (2014 , p. 359)
  16. Porter et al. (2016 , p. 432)
  17. Wang, Wei; Wang, Shenyuan; Hou, Chenglin; Xing, Yanping (2014). "Genome-Wide Detection of Copy Number Variations among Diverse Horse Breeds by Array CGH". PLOS ONE. 9 (1): e86860. Bibcode:2014PLoSO...986860W. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0086860 . ISSN   1932-6203. PMC   3907382 . PMID   24497987.
  18. 1 2 3 "Mongolian - Ujumqin/China". Domestic Animal Diversity Information System of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Retrieved 19 October 2015.
  19. Mang, L.; Li, J. L.; Shi, Y. F. (2005). "Sequence comparing of mtDNA D-Loop varied region in Chinese Mongolian horse and External Thoroughbred horse". Yi Chuan = Hereditas. 27 (1): 91–94. PMID   15730967.
  20. Hendricks (2007 , p. 370)
  21. Charlotte Harris Rees (23 April 2014) [2013]. Did Ancient Chinese Explore America?. Durham, North Carolina: Torchflame. ISBN   9781611530810 . Retrieved 11 June 2024. [...] horse bones from Wisconsin [...] carbon dated to AD 750-900. [...] Numerous [...] drawings of horses in the Americas are dated to pre-Columbian times. [...] The early sixth century Chinese account of Hui Shen's trip to Fu Sang [sometimes speculatively identified as America] also mentions horses [...].
  22. Zhang, Yingjin (2015). "Ethnic Mongolian Literature". A Companion to Modern Chinese Literature. John Wiley & Sons. p. 592. ISBN   978-1118451601.

Bibliography