Pony of the Fruits Below

Pony of the Fruits Below

　　Pony of the Fruits Below

　　The Pony of the Fruits Below is a rare type of horse. This horse has brownish fur, stands about three chi (approximately one meter) tall, is 3 chi 7 cun (around 1.23 meters) long, and weighs just over 100 jin (roughly 50 kilograms), yet it can pull loads weighing between 1,200 and 1,500 jin (approximately 600–750 kilograms). It is hardworking, tireless, sturdy on its feet, and adept at navigating slippery slopes, making it well-suited for use in the rainy southern regions. It can truly be regarded as a rare phenomenon in the history of animal evolution.

　　According to the Records of Luoding, “The Pony of the Fruits Below comes from Shuiliang in Deqing,” and “one can ride it beneath fruit trees.” “It occasionally occurs among breeding horses and is very rare, which is why it is quite expensive.” Research indicates that this type of pony has existed in Luoding for at least 300 years.

　　The Yunnan pony has a long history of formation and breeding. Ancient Chinese historical records from the Western Han Dynasty all the way to the Qing Dynasty contain accounts of small horses. The Comprehensive Mirror for Aid in Government mentions, “The imperial stables had the Pony of the Fruits Below, which stood three chi tall and was used to pull carriages. Shigu explained: Small horses that can be ridden beneath fruit trees are thus called the Pony of the Fruits Below.” The History of the Song Dynasty – Horse Administration states, “Tributary horses from the southwestern barbarian tribes are short and small, failing to meet the required standards.” The Qing-era Record of Dian Sea’s Resources noted, “The Pony of the Fruits Below also exists in Yunnan, though not many, and they are only used for children to ride, hence they are not raised in large numbers.”

　　The Pingbian Miao Autonomous County records state that as early as during the Yuanding era of the Western Han Dynasty, Pingbian County was already part of Jincheng County, indicating that people had been living there even before that. According to the Gazetteer of Guangxi Prefecture from the Kangxi era, under the section on the products of Mile Prefecture (which administered Pingbian County): “Among beasts: oxen, horses, donkeys, mules…”

　　Ethnic minorities such as the Miao people have long lived in mountainous areas with steep slopes, rugged roads, and poor transportation. The small horse has always been their main means of transport for carrying loads and riding. Moreover, during traditional festivals such as the Huashan Festival, an important event often involves these ponies. Therefore, the Yunnan pony is a breed that formed over a long period of natural and artificial selection in the unique natural and social environment of relatively isolated mountainous regions. It is especially adapted to the local hot and humid climate, steep mountainous terrain, and primarily serves the purposes of carrying loads and riding.