Fine steeds galloping across vast grasslands

Fine steeds galloping across vast grasslands

The Mongolian people moved from fragmentation toward unification. Historically, this era was known as the Age of the Mongolian Horse. The Mongolian horse can be regarded as the friend and companion of the Mongolian people. These horses originated in the Mongolian grasslands and plateau. They roam in herds of three to five hundred, with the herd divided every three to four years. Strong stallions lead groups of mares in breeding. Every summer, large herds of horses thunder across the undulating green grasslands like surging ocean waves. In the bitter winter, batches of Mongolian horses rear their heads and neigh into the freezing wind, their cries like rumbling thunder that shakes the earth.

Like the Mongolian people, the Mongolian horse lives in regions with harsh cold in winter and intense heat in summer. It gallops swiftly through snowstorms and moves fluidly under scorching sun. Endowed with the remarkable ability to endure both cold and heat, it shows strong environmental adaptability. The Mongolian horse is small yet agile, swift-eyed and adept at avoiding danger, robust and powerful, keen and fast. In the famous Mongolian heroic epic "Jangar," there is a poetic description of a hero’s warhorse: “As swift as an arrow released from the bow / Shining like sparks, majestic and overwhelming / Like a thousand galloping horses / Like ten thousand roaring bulls / Striking fear into the hearts of bulls and elephants / When people see the crimson dust rising, they know the divine steed Alanjar has arrived.”

The Mongolian horse understands human emotions and remains fiercely loyal to its master. It demonstrates the most selfless devotion, always stepping forward to take risks. Numerous vivid stories of this nature have been passed down in Mongolian folklore. The 13th or 14th-century narrative poem "The Two Steeds of Genghis Khan" is almost universally known among the Mongolian people. The poem describes how the two steeds excelled and contributed greatly during Genghis Khan’s hunting expedition. However, their outstanding achievements went unrecognized by their master, prompting the two steeds to flee. During their escape, their differing views on Genghis Khan were revealed: one was stubborn, confident, unruly, and craved freedom; the other preferred servitude and was deeply attached to its master. Ultimately, moved by the kindness of their lord, the steeds returned to their herd, where they were welcomed, greeted, and honored by Genghis Khan. This allegorical poem, personifying the two steeds, reflects the beautiful relationship between the Mongolian people and their horses, as well as the deep loyalty of the horses to their masters. Mongolian parents often use "The Two Steeds of Genghis Khan" as teaching material to instill love and respect for horses in their children.

During a fierce battle between the Mongolian hero Gada Meiren’s rebel forces and warlord as well as noblemen troops, Gada Meiren was shot and thrown off his horse. At the critical moment when enemy soldiers were about to catch up, his horse bit the corner of his garment and dragged him into a dense forest by the river, allowing Gada Meiren to narrowly escape death.

In the 19th century, the great Mongolian writer Injannashi fell from his horse and lost consciousness while returning to his hometown from elsewhere. At that moment, two wolves pounced toward him. His horse reared up on its hind legs, waving its mane and tail, and fought the wolves fiercely. Though the cunning wolves attacked in turns, leaving the horse drenched in sweat as it faced both at once, it stayed by its master’s side without retreating. Eventually, it kept the wolves at bay until Injannashi’s family arrived.

Mongolian horses are deeply family-oriented. They can accurately recognize their sires, dams, and siblings even after many years or until death, maintaining close familial bonds. Some horses, upon returning to the herd after being away for days, show affection by nipping each other’s manes. Mongolian horses never mate with their birth mothers, which is why Mongolians refer to them as righteous beasts. Among animals, the Mongolian horse is the cleanest—it drinks from rivers, lakes, and wells, never from stagnant or dirty water. It also seeks out fresh grass, sometimes preferring hunger over eating spoiled or rotten plants. Among domesticated animals, horses live the longest, sometimes reaching up to sixty years. Mongolians calculate a horse’s age based on double human years—for example, a thirty-three-year-old horse is actually sixty-six.

Mongolian herders avoid eating horse meat. When a horse dies, it is buried to show gratitude for its deep loyalty to its master. Mares that have given birth to ten foals and aged stallions are regarded as heroes by the Mongolian people and are treated specially—their manes adorned with colorful silk ribbons to distinguish them from ordinary horses. These horses cannot be slaughtered, and even in death, they are given honorable burials.

The Mongolian people cherish their horses deeply and are intimately familiar with the habits and preferences of their many steeds. Based on the horses’ coat colors and genders, they are given affectionate nicknames. Mongolian horse herds are roughly categorized by color into red (including dark red and chestnut), white, yellow (including golden and beige), black, purple, brown, and dappled. Thanks to these coat color traits, many Mongolian children can accurately name each horse by its beloved nickname.

Since ancient times, the Mongolian people have taken great care of their riding horses, and their riding equipment is especially exquisite. For instance, saddles are inlaid with gold and silver ornaments and engraved with beautiful patterns. Among riding horses, there are galloping horses and pacing horses, with the latter being particularly favored. Pacing horses are immensely valuable—many wealthy families spare no expense to acquire them. These horses are fast and run smoothly, making the rider feel as if seated in a sedan chair, which proves especially valuable on long journeys. Today, Mongolian horses have left the grasslands and spread across borders, finding homes in many countries.

To the Mongolian people, the Mongolian horse is as significant as the sun, moon, and stars. Hohhot, the capital of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, features two galloping Mongolian horse sculptures in its city center—at the museum and the train station—which can be seen as symbols of the city. Not only in Hohhot, but many towns across Inner Mongolia also have various statues of fine steeds. Countless works of literature and art feature the horse as their central theme. The Mongolian horse has become the cultural and historical torchbearer of the Mongolian people.