The breed of Mongolian horses has an ancient origin. Horse-breeding among this people was developed quite widely by the XII century - the time of the unification of the tribes of Mongolia. Cavalry is the main branch of Genghis Khan’s troops and his subsequent successors. The harsh climate, the nomadic way of life and housekeeping, the half-wild keeping of horses for many centuries - all this contributed to the survival of the strongest individuals, characterized by a high level of fitness and good health.
General characteristics of the breed
The main quality that the Mongolian horse has is the ability to quickly accumulate and economically spend fat reserves. In addition, it can be content with a small amount of water even in summer, and in winter it is covered with a long hairline with thick undercoat. Despite the long period of existence, the breed has not undergone significant changes. By productivity, the Mongolian horse belongs to the breeds for use under the pack, saddle and harness. However, it can carry out work with a not very large load and traction, as it has small stature and live weight.
Mongolian climate
The climate in Mongolia is sharply continental, very arid, with abundant winds. It is especially cold in the north, with large temperature fluctuations (up to 80 °). The hot, dry summer is being replaced by a long harsh winter (up to 40 ° below). It happens that a blizzard rages for several days, and in the summer come south, south-west strong and hot winds. Precipitation is rare. Snow does not lie for a long time.
The north of the country is full of herbs. On the slopes of the mountains cereals grow - fescue, pinworm, timothy grass, bluegrass, wheat grass; in the river valleys, on the northern slopes of the mountains, on marshy meadows there are many nutritious herbs: saber-eared, saxifrager, pendulum ... The steppe flora prevails in the center of the republic. Desert plants are unsuitable for a breed like the Mongolian horse. Photos of horses show the external characteristics of the physique and the environment that is reflected on such an exterior.
Climate Impact on a Breed
The severe and semi-wild keeping of horses in Mongolia, their natural selection nullified attempts to improve the breed. It remains unpretentious and small in size. The herd of Mongolians was amenable to improvement with the help of horses of cultural breeds captured by the Mongols, for example, from Central Asia. Alien horses and crossbreeds could not adapt to life in herds in harsh climates.
However, breeding breeds near Mongolia (Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan) and to the north (Minusinsk breed) are much larger than the Mongolian in size. Most likely, the reason is a higher technological level of horse breeding and a milder climate. The situation is similar in the areas adjacent to Mongolia - the Chita region, the Buryat-Mongolian, Altai ... Horses in these areas have a large body weight, which can only be explained by the harsh conditions of the latter.
The types that a Mongolian horse has. Exterior Description
Separate regions of Mongolia differ significantly in climate, landscape and breeding conditions of horse stock. This affected the types of rock: in the west they are larger, and in the south - smaller. The most undersized have a height at the withers from 123 cm to 125 cm. They are bred in the semi-desert southern regions of Mongolia. Constitutional features of the constitution of Mongolian horses are expressed in squat, cylindrical body, large layers of fat and a thick coat of wool. This helps animals protect the body from excessive heat loss. The ability to store fat reserves is aimed at creating energy reserves in the body necessary to maintain vital activity at critical moments.
Body Features
The constitution and exterior of Mongolian horses are as follows:
- Heavy, massive head.
- Small eyes.
- Thick, short neck with low output.
- Wide and deep chest.
- Straight back.
- Drooping croup.
- Grandmas are straight, short.
- The limbs are short (chestnuts may be absent).
According to the suit, the Mongolian horse is not typified. Mostly light gray, bulan, solovy, ginger, bay, kaurai, spotted, savras, and forelock prevail. Horses in Mongolia are characterized by longevity (20-24 years) and late ripening (development is completed at 6 years).
Endurance
Researchers such as Przhevalsky, Kozlov and many others focused on the excellent endurance that the Mongolian breed of horses has, and its low consumption of feed and care. An ordinary horse will effortlessly ride with a rider up to 80 km per day, and during day trips even up to 120 km. Horses are used in large numbers for riding, pair harnessing, national sports competitions, transportation of packs, grazing cattle, goats, sheep and other domestic animals in agriculture. Their role is so great in the life of the Mongols that a person has more than one horse. Mongolian horse endurance attracts breeders to obtain new types, but so far this area cannot boast of special breeding results.
Agriculture
The development of technology has created the conditions for innovation in the field of horse breeding. Many farms harvest hay for the winter, build simple buildings for shelter in bad weather, practice selection, test the crossbreeding of local horses with Don horses, heavy trucks and other kinds of thoroughbred horses. Prevention work is underway with various diseases that can cause great damage to the state economy in general and horse breeding in particular. In agriculture, horses are also used to produce meat and milk.
Breeding
Today, a Mongolian horse is bred on pasture in herds. Its constitution, physique, and other qualities are mainly formed under the influence of climate, topography, features of keeping, feeding, pasture and use. The territory of Mongolia itself is a plateau surrounded by mountain ranges. The terrain is elevated above sea level to 1300 meters. The northern part has a mountain-taiga landscape and is replaced by a forest-steppe towards the center, which goes south into a wide steppe strip. This zone of Mongolia is half full and completely deserted.
In winter, herds are kept in areas that are most protected from the winds, with grass, and horse thirst quenched by snow. In summer, horses are moved to pastures to the water (rivers, lakes, springs). Here the weight of the Mongolian horses is restored. But many adversities fall on their lot: extreme heat, burning winds with clouds of dust, lack of water, attack of flies and mosquitoes. In autumn, the air temperature drops, so horses accumulate large reserves of fat, preparing for a difficult winter.
Keeping young animals and longevity of horses
The first and second year the foal is very difficult, he lacks feed. During two (three) months of summer, the mare is milked to obtain milk. During this period, foals spend most of the time on a leash. Thus, they can drink breast milk only at night. Foals also graze at night. They happen to switch to pasture feed very early, which affects their growth and development.
Horses of Mongolian breeds are durable. Many of them remain operational for well over 18 years. At one time, the cabmen bought the horses written off by age from the army (20–22 years old), who worked for them for a very long time.
Equipment Features
Horse harness masters have always paid particular attention to its decoration. The design, which has a Mongolian bridle for a horse, allows you to pull out the snaffle without removing it. The bridle is made from narrow rawhide straps. They usually have a thin forged snaffle, to which they attach a long, braid-made champagne. It always remains in the hands and is often used as a whip. For the holiday, the rein and saddle are richly decorated.
Saddles are made in the national style. The wooden lenok consists of two very short shelves and a wide size, trapezoidal bow, the front of which is slightly higher than the back, and the fastening to the shelves is done at an angle. Must be taken into account the purpose of the saddle, the age of the rider and his gender. The saddle is everyday and festive, all parts of which are richly decorated with silver, like the reins. Stirrups on the holiday are also decorated with chasing and engraving. Shabraki, shade are decorated with embroidery and embossing. Saddles have reddish, pink, brownish, yellow and other variegated shades.
Using
A Mongol without a horse, without arms and legs. Every family needs it - if not for travel, work, then for milk for sure. Its purpose: army service, convoy, horseback riding, where they use a special Mongolian saddle. Horses, however, have a significant drawback that makes them difficult to use in heavy-duty jobs - this is small growth. At the same time, the Mongolian horse does not tolerate a very damp climate, which greatly complicates their widespread use in other areas.
Due to its quick, productive step, easy gallop, good performance in swimming, the Mongolian horses move well in the sand, easily climb the hills, descend from them. You can meet a pacifier horse, which is highly regarded among the population.
Horse racing is very popular among entertainment. Among them, the most common are long distances (25 km). The average horse overcomes 25 km under the light rider for about forty-two minutes. The best horses used to come from Undurkhan. From it they were transported to different regions of Mongolia and exported even to China. In Ulan Bator there is a hippodrome where races are held. Of course, the horse appreciates the breed, the constitution and the exterior. Not every horse has a speed unique to horses. The best breeds for horse racing are obtained by crossbreeding when a local mare and a thoroughbred stallion of a different species are taken. While there was no socialization, in Mongolia there were many centers for racehorses.
For example, breeds: Borzhigon, Halshar, Bayanzagaan. After the socialization of cattle, there is no question of pedigree horses. But, thanks to the rational approach of pastoralists, they managed to save part of the racehorse breeds.
Modernity leaves its mark on Mongolia. Today, the population is increasingly weaned from riding. Therefore, horses lose their natural innate qualities. Although the horse is the pride of the Mongol, cars and motorcycles replace them ...