From what era did people begin to tame and harness horses?

Horse breeding in China has a history of more than 2,000 years, beginning with the introduction of crossbreeding. Its ups and downs are linked to the development of China's economy and culture. There has been glory, decline and revitalization. Today, Arabian horses and Thoroughbreds have been introduced, the breed has been bred and crossbred, and has entered a period of revitalization. The author of this article has been engaged in horse breeding for fifty years and is the author of the book "Modern Horse Breeding". This article introduces the history and current situation of horse breeding. Revitalization of horse breeding, and then create brilliant.

1 Ancient history (the first 100 years - 1900)

The Han dynasty began to sweat blood horse crossbreeding

The history of horse breeding in China, when Zhang Qian began (2100 years ago). At the beginning of the Han Dynasty, the Han horse was less dominant than neighboring peoples. The Xiongnu in the north, invaded many times, and the Han army lost. Zhang Qian traveled to the West, saw the sweat-blooded horse (then known as the "Dawan horse"), and reported back to Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, who authorized the introduction of the horse. Opened a new chapter of the introduction of the "Western region good horse", at that time, the Chinese horse for the Mongolian horse system, body height of 130cm or so. The Dawan horse is up to 150cm high, good shape, fast speed and power, and is a high-grade famous breed. Beautiful body shape, speed and power fast, flexible footwork and good dance. After the Silk Road, the introduction of the world's most famous horse. The introduction of seed has continued for thousands of years, until the beginning of the Tang Dynasty. Introduced sweat blood horse and local horse hybridization, breeding "Han horse". A new type of horse, light and graceful, capable of dancing, appeared in Chinese excavated horse artifacts. These characteristics influenced the northwest horse. The Northwest local horse has a better appearance than the Mongolian horse. Han horse body type light, big ears, curved neck, flexible limbs (today's equestrian horse is most needed).

Tang Horse Breeding for War

The Tang horse, seen in many Tang horse art forms. It was a heavier, thin and strong limbed, heavy riding horse. Due to the heavier military armor, a new type of horse was required. This situation is very similar to the medieval war horse in Europe. The Hippocampus, a descendant of the Tang horse. Hequ horse male height up to 150cm, for the domestic improvement of the stallion. Northwest two breeding horse breed shandan horse, qinghai horse, the last cross use hequ male horse, weight body type, improve plateau adaptability, get success.

"Military Horse Warehouse" and loss

China's successive governments, have attached importance to horse politics, the establishment of national horse farms, focusing on the northern and western grasslands. By utilizing the grasslands, the development of horse breeding, with little cost, to cultivate strong horses, the role of the reserve military horses. This approach was retained until after the founding of the nation, when the last war horse left the country and the idea disintegrated. In the original local horse breed selection, the improvement is limited. But China has long been in feudalism and isolation. This practice is also understandable. Since the Tang Dynasty, before 1900, the quality of Chinese horses has not improved much. Burleigh horse, focusing on preferential selection, but limited by the base of the horse breed, the effect of preferential selection is very limited.

2 Modern History (1900-1949)

In the first half of the last century, the economic and cultural progress, the introduction of foreign information, the beginning of the introduction of horse crossbreeding, breeding horse breed road. From the point of view of the development of the history of horse breeding, this is the preparatory stage of cross-breeding of Chinese horses, the real progress, is after 1949.

The 50 years of crossbreeding improvement, is divided into three ways. Each of the three has its own characteristics, and these achievements, in part, dissolved into the breeding of horses after the founding of the country.

Mass introduction of crossbreeding in border areas has been successful

Zhaosu area in western Xinjiang, Hailar in eastern Inner Mongolia, three rivers, the Russians migrated into the introduction of foreign stallions and hybrid horses, but also to bring in the horse breeding technology, local management of agriculture and animal husbandry. 50 years, each of the two places bred more than 10,000 mongrel horse herd. The two horses are called "Ili Horse" and "Sanhe Horse". The imported foreign breeds were the Orlov horse, the Tonkinese horse, the Intertongue horse, the Kazakh horse and the Transbaikalian horse. Some hybrids are also included. The height of the horse can reach 140 cm, which was spontaneously carried out by the expatriates and local ethnic groups. Crossbreeding is very effective.

The original nationalist government's improved breeding

China's successive governments, attach importance to horse breeding. The former Kuomintang government had a Horse Bureau, under which there were eight horse farms. Planning the introduction of Arabian horses hybridized Mongolian horses, high generation and then crossbreeding, take the road of horse improvement in developed countries. Before the Anti-Japanese War, a modern horse breeding farm was built in Jurong, Guizhou. Produced Amon II hybrids. Haruhi breeding horses to strengthen national defense, the war began, the horses moved inward. Arabian horse in the difficulty of preserving the seed, up to 700. 49 years the government received, and then transferred from Guizhou to the loss of horse farms in Guangxi. 1945, and the introduction of the United States Morgans horse, Quartel horse hybridization and improvement. Engaged in the introduction of hybridization, the results are not obvious. Its military horse supply rely on the northwest and southwest of the military horse farm.

Japanese emperor invaded the northeast of the horse crossbreeding improvement

Japan in the Russo-Japanese war (1905) horses are not as good as Russia. It began to develop a program of horse crossbreeding and improvement. After invading the Northeast, it regarded the Northeast as a base for horse improvement. The climate was dry, the land was flat, and the environment for horse breeding was superior to that of Japan. The goal of crossbreeding improvement was to produce a small service horse with a height of 135-140cm. By 1945, more than 200,000 hybrid horses were produced.

Measures adopted:

(1) Formulation of the Improvement Act and its publication

(2) Completion of 8 racecourses, 14 stud farms, 2 breeding farms, and the establishment of the Horse Administration Bureau. Cultivate senior and intermediate animal husbandry and veterinary personnel.

(3) the introduction of stallions from Japan (multi-species) 4,000, usually raised in the stud farm, breeding season to the horse origin breeding, using simple artificial insemination method.

(4) The policy is to raise horses with horses. Horse racing revenue to pay for stud farms, training courses. In addition to self-sufficiency, the funds are turned over to the government. At that time, the jackpot was 10,000 yuan, and horse breeding annual profit of up to 100 million yuan. It is a huge amount of income.

(5) Northeast of the old horse people and the people concerned about this section of the horse industry has left a deep impression. The potential to run a racecourse is there.

3 Modern history (1949-1990)

After the founding of the country, the development of agriculture, transportation, the need for horses. It was a revitalization that history had not seen before. It exceeded the Han and Tang dynasties, which had developed the horse industry in history. This is truly a large-scale horse improvement breeding with national strength. Before remembering the fifty years of horse crossbreeding improvement made preparations, talent, technology, horse breeding resources have a certain foundation.

The second half of the last century, the horse hybrid improvement, can be divided into two major stages.

Front (1949-1980)

Middle (1981-1990)

Back (1991-present)

1949-1980 to large service horses as the target of multi-type crossbreeding improvement The breeding of multiple types of crossbreeding improvement targeting large service horses.

At the beginning of the founding of the country, the loss of horses over the years of war, only 6 million horses, a shortage of horses, with the demand does not match, the government to increase the number of horses, improve the quality of horses as a priority.

After World War II, the number of horses in the world began to decline, the number of horses in China increased, did not realize the arrival of agricultural mechanization. The same Mongolia, Brazil is the same horse number growth country, horse number 8 million is the first in the world.

The goal of the first segment of improvement was to produce large service horses. Resource versatility was envisioned. This improvement is comparable to the improvement of horses in Europe two hundred years ago, with the old improvement aimed at large horses for service. Thoroughbreds were not valued, and it was thought that light body work would not work.

The Horse Improvement Effort

By 1980, this effort had produced significant results. National crossbreeding improved horse million, has accepted 10 new horse breeds, improved horse body up to 140cm or more, the new breed of horse body up to 150cm or more. Exported to Vietnam, North Korea is popular, individual domestic horse body height of more than 160cm.

Adoption of measures:

(1) the development of improved policies, objectives.

(2) Introducing 1,100 Soviet stallions (seven major horse breeds, including light, part-time and heavy-drawn types).

(3) Introducing the Soviet Union's experience in horse breeding and advanced technology of artificial insemination. Hiring experts and sending people abroad to study.

(4) Establishment of 22 stud farms and 100 breeding stations (artificial insemination).

(5) Holding technical classes (artificial insemination of horses) to promote the technology of touching the ovaries for timely breeding and pregnancy diagnosis. Fertilization rate is over 90%.

(6) organization of new breeds of horse breeding, grasp the key technologies (crossbreeding combinations, cross-effects, breed now planning, breed acceptance).

(7) horse breeding for mandatory courses

(8) organization of administrative, scientific and technological, production of three combined team

For more details, please refer to the book "Modern Horse Breeding".

After World War II, the number of horses in the world declined. The number of horses in China increased, and the crossbreeding and improvement, breeding 10 major horse breeds, in the forefront of the world. Because it is closed, foreign countries do not know. After the Cultural Revolution, introduced to the U.S. Jockey Club international exchanges, y surprised. This important part of the software, retained in my book "modern horse breeding" book. This big improvement, the author is an important participant and one of the host.

The loss of the results of horse breeding and turn

The world's improved horses to the agricultural mechanization before, there is a long transition period. After the mechanization of agriculture, and the use of focusing on the protection of good horse breeds, horse breeding from service to cultural transformation strategy. China's agricultural mechanization, there is no policy to protect the horse, the natural loss of fine horse breeds, horse people to change their profession, the horse industry disintegration, there is a huge contrast. The horse industry after agricultural mechanization, in its own transformation in the reorganization. After the reorganization and the emergence of new opportunities for horse breeding.

4 After the founding of the State Council, the "second breeding" of the start (1991 - now)

China's horse breeding had a brilliant, breeding breeding out of control, most of the loss. It is incomplete to think that this is the end of the story. Because of China's characteristics, there are often twists and turns, but after the twists and turns, there is revitalization. We propose to race horses after the start of the horse industry, known as the "modern horse industry", horse breeding is called "secondary horse breeding" is justified.

Overseas, called the post-World War II horse breeding for the second breeding, that is, to meet the cultural needs of non-service. Improved breeding at the beginning of the founding of the country, is the European breeding horse two centuries ago. Our second breeding horse mentioned, both with reality, but also a certain creativity.

○ Horse racing revitalization is the prelude to the revitalization of horse breeding

In the early 1990s, Comrade Xiaoping's southern tour instructions, reform of the barriers to the development of productive forces, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhuhai, the new take-off of productive forces. Guangzhou and Shenzhen set up racecourses and horse racing clubs. The introduction of competitive horses was the top priority. Three rivers horse, Ili horse, horqin horse, Xining Guo Le horse become the first choice of good, long-stalled horse industry in the pastoral areas are pulled. Years of backlog of good horses, become a hot commodity, in the city racecourse competition. Horse prices rose, the city welcome, the pastoral areas are happy. A new biological chain was begun, opening up the horse racing market and pulling in pastoral horse breeding. Leading to new developments in Thoroughbred breeding.

○Through various forms, foreign horses (Thoroughbreds, Arabians, Ahabs)

Any revitalization of the horse industry in China starts with the introduction of horses, horse breeding and horse racing. In the past, it was run by the government. This time the management system has changed. Three types of ownership exist: public, private and joint venture. Reform and opening up play the role of all kinds of ownership. Policies have been liberalized and opened to the outside world, horse racing and horse breeding have become hot spots for investment and joint ventures. Foreign capital, foreign horses, foreign technology into China. Promoted the new development of horse breeding and horse racing in China.

(1) the introduction of Arabian horses (1994)

In 1994, by the Japanese friend Mr. Ishikawa and Mr. Liang, presented to Wang Guangying, vice chairman of the Arabian horse 6 (male 2 female 4), raised Arabian horse farm (Beijing). Purebred breeding, but also with Arabian stallion with Ili horse, Shandan horse to get a good horse.

(2) the introduction of Thoroughbred (Ireland) (1995)

Mr. Pieter Fajstauer (Austria), opened a bank in Beijing. Because of his love of horses, he introduced 6 Thoroughbreds (4 males and 2 females) to China and improved the Kabakin hybrids at the Ximeng Stud Farm in Inner Mongolia. They were bred in the grassland and later moved to Beijing. They were bred in the grassland and then moved to Beijing Kelaiwu Horse Farm. Excellent horse "Teng Teng" won the national championship, for the Beijing city reputation.

(3) Introduction of a large number of Thoroughbreds (1998) (Australia)

Mr. Cheng Yung-bun, a Hong Kong horse lover, was the director and owner of the Macau Racecourse, and had a Thoroughbred breeding farm in Australia. Mr. Cheng returned to Beijing to set up his own business out of love for horses and patriotism. He set up Beijing Huajun Horse Breeding Company (Xu Xinzhuang, Tongzhou District). There are 500 adult Thoroughbred mares and 2000 Thoroughbred horses in total. In terms of size, they are the first in Asia and the third in the world. Produced horses for the Tongshun racecourse competition, provided to all over the world for breeding (Xinjiang, Gansu, Inner Mongolia) has produced hybrid offspring, the improvement effect is good.

(4) Japanese friend Mr. Isamu Ishida built the Dragon Head Ranch (2000)

Mr. Isamu Ishida, for the Hokkaido Hokkaido Ranch Director. Mr. Ishida is the director of the Hokkaido Hokkai Ranch. Mr. Ishida raised good horses and won prizes in competitions. Mr. Ishida was a businessman in Beijing and thought that Beijing was a good place to raise horses, and he saw that China's economy was developing rapidly. He moved part of his Hokkaido farm to Majuqiao, Tongzhou District, Beijing. There are 50 breeding mares and 50 foals.

(5) Aha horse (a) to Beijing

Turkmenistan's president, presented a horse to President Jiang. He arrived in Beijing, raised in the pasture between Beijing and Tianjin. Aha horse is the sweatblood horse. Because there is no mare, so the selection of thoroughbred mares, has given birth to two foals optimistic.

○新型育马场群体出现(7所)

引入纯血马后,建立纯血育马场。 There are foreign investment, joint venture and domestic investment. The quality and technology of the horses are up to the international level, and foreign experts are hired for technical management.

Beijing Huajun Thoroughbred Breeding Company (joint venture)

Beijing Leading Ranch (Japanese)

Beijing Kolaiwu Horse Ranch (Thoroughbred, domestic)

Nemeng Thoroughbred Breeding Company (joint venture)

Beijing Arabian Horse Ranch (state-run)

Yingkou Horse Ranch (domestic, purebreeding and improving)

Beijing How edge of the horse farm (thoroughbred horse improved high-blooded horse)

○ introduction of thoroughbred horse technology to see the results

Thoroughbred horse, is a specialized horse breed, high technical requirements, the management should be fine and caring. It is necessary to make paternity test and genealogy. Some Chinese horse owners think that the horse is good on the line, do not make registration, and the foreign party to raise the Thoroughbred horse can solve this problem. Thoroughbreds, in the case of sloppy feeding management, foals are prone to stunted growth. Dragon Ranch Japanese Thoroughbred foals to Beijing development than the origin (Hokkaido) better. This is the first time this has been resolved. Our Japanese friends believe that Beijing is suitable for Thoroughbreds, with a dry climate and a lot of lime in the water. The market prospect is good. The introduction of technology, so that we improve.

Chinese equestrian scientists, to complete the three Thoroughbred monographs, targeted, cited from the world's top Thoroughbred farms, in the Thoroughbred horse breeding theory and technology to improve. At present, the "introduction" instead of the "closed self-breeding", more than the level of the nineties.

○The Thoroughbred will be the main force in the next round of improvement of Chinese horses

The Thoroughbred horses are mostly self-bred to participate in competitions, and the other role is to improve the original mongrel horses and domestic horses (Yili horses and Sanhe horses). The goal of the current improvement is to improve the overall performance of the horse. This horse is a riding horse or equestrian horse, the body is tall and powerful, reflecting the flexible and stable, high grade, flexible limbs and good jumping and dance movement. This type of horse is also known as "half-blood" or "warmblood". Specialized leisure riding horses also need to be bred. This will synchronize with world horse breeding. Breeding will flourish. Today's thoroughbred horse breeding prosperity, is a new page, we should pay enough attention; this is also a moment in China's long history of horse breeding, should be fully and correctly understood.