Chinese Guoxia
Encyclopedia
There are many different breeds of horse
in China
, most of which are ancient and descended from the Mongolia
n horse. Although many of the breeds are small in stature, they are considered to be small horses, not ponies, and will often, when provided with good care and adequate nutrition
, mature well over 14.2 hands
. Many of the breeds within China bear distinct regional differences, so although they may have descended from common ancestors, they have developed differently according to their habitat
and climate. However, one breed is considered an actual pony
breed and this is the Chinese Guoxia, found in southwest China.
high. The Guoxia makes a very good children's pony and is useful in harness
in spite of its small size. Generally it has a good temperament, quiet and willing, but is also tough and enduring. In appearance, the Guoxia bears some "primitive" horse features. . It has a small, somewhat heavy head with small alert ears. The neck is short and the back is straight and short. The shoulders are a bit straight, but the legs are well formed and strong with good hard feet. Representatives of the breed are usually bay, roan
or gray
in colour.
Horse
The horse is one of two extant subspecies of Equus ferus, or the wild horse. It is a single-hooved mammal belonging to the taxonomic family Equidae. The horse has evolved over the past 45 to 55 million years from a small multi-toed creature into the large, single-toed animal of today...
in China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
, most of which are ancient and descended from the Mongolia
Mongolia
Mongolia is a landlocked country in East and Central Asia. It is bordered by Russia to the north and China to the south, east and west. Although Mongolia does not share a border with Kazakhstan, its western-most point is only from Kazakhstan's eastern tip. Ulan Bator, the capital and largest...
n horse. Although many of the breeds are small in stature, they are considered to be small horses, not ponies, and will often, when provided with good care and adequate nutrition
Equine nutrition
Equine nutrition is the feeding of horses, ponies, mules, donkeys, and other equines. Correct and balanced nutrition is a critical component of proper horse care....
, mature well over 14.2 hands
Hand (unit)
The hand is a non-SI unit of measurement of length, now used only for the measurement of the height of horses in some English-speaking countries, including Australia, Canada, the UK and the USA. With origins in ancient Egypt, it was originally based on the breadth of a human hand...
. Many of the breeds within China bear distinct regional differences, so although they may have descended from common ancestors, they have developed differently according to their habitat
Habitat
* Habitat , a place where a species lives and grows*Human habitat, a place where humans live, work or play** Space habitat, a space station intended as a permanent settlement...
and climate. However, one breed is considered an actual pony
Pony
A pony is a small horse . Depending on context, a pony may be a horse that is under an approximate or exact height at the withers, or a small horse with a specific conformation and temperament. There are many different breeds...
breed and this is the Chinese Guoxia, found in southwest China.
History
There is little information available regarding the breed's origins, except that it is thought to date to antiquity; a bronze statue has been recovered of a Guoxia, dated approximately 2,000 years old. Their name translated means 'under fruit tree horse', which suggests that it may have been used early on to help with working in orchards due to its short stature. The breed was largely forgotten and considered extinct. It was rediscovered in 1981, and a breed association was formed in April of that year.Characteristics
These ponies are very small in height, only reaching a maximum of 10 handsHand (unit)
The hand is a non-SI unit of measurement of length, now used only for the measurement of the height of horses in some English-speaking countries, including Australia, Canada, the UK and the USA. With origins in ancient Egypt, it was originally based on the breadth of a human hand...
high. The Guoxia makes a very good children's pony and is useful in harness
Harness
A harness is a looped restraint or support. It can also be referred to as an "hitcharness", especially by the Jordanian Armed Forces. Specifically, it may refer to one of the following harness types:* Bondage harness* Child harness* Climbing harness...
in spite of its small size. Generally it has a good temperament, quiet and willing, but is also tough and enduring. In appearance, the Guoxia bears some "primitive" horse features. . It has a small, somewhat heavy head with small alert ears. The neck is short and the back is straight and short. The shoulders are a bit straight, but the legs are well formed and strong with good hard feet. Representatives of the breed are usually bay, roan
Roan (horse)
Roan is a horse coat color pattern characterized by an even mixture of colored and white hairs on the body, while the head and "points"—lower legs, mane and tail—are more solid-colored. The roan pattern is dominantly-inherited, and is found in many horse breeds...
or gray
Gray (horse)
Gray or grey is a coat color of horses characterized by progressive silvering of the colored hairs of the coat. Most gray horses have black skin and dark eyes; unlike many depigmentation genes, gray does not affect skin or eye color Their adult hair coat is white, dappled, or white intermingled...
in colour.