Native breeds which were first used by the Chinese as cavalry horses proved to be inferior to those against whom they fought. As conflicts with the northern nomadic Xiongnu became more pervasive, procurement of quality horses became a major priority. The imperial courts then developed their own breeding programmes, after which equestrian militarism changed war … Continue reading Horse Breeds in Ancient China
Author: yhyoung
Art, Sports and Medicine
The horse’s influence over the civilization and art of China is unrivalled. A wide range of artefacts constructed on distinctive perceptual and cultural premises were created with horses as their motif. Equine sports not only formed part of the education curriculum for young aristocrats, but also served as military preparation. As horses enjoyed a lofty … Continue reading Art, Sports and Medicine
Horses in Literature
In the Shi Jing (Book of Songs), which is the earliest existing collection of Chinese poems and songs, dating from as far back as 1000 B.C., horses are mentioned in 51 out of 305 poems, topping the animal list. The writings of Confucius are full of references to the horse; the horse makes a secular … Continue reading Horses in Literature
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The Horses of China 