Debao Pony

Debao Pony

The Debao Pony is a geographical indication certification trademark.

　　The Debao Pony is a rare and fine breed of horse in China and also the shortest horse breed in the world.

　　The Debao Pony is mainly produced in counties such as Debao and Jingxi in Guangxi. Its height is below 106 centimeters, with the shortest reaching only 85 centimeters, making it even shorter than the world-famous British Shetland pony.

　　One of the characteristics of the Debao Pony is its pure coat color, which comes in several shades including dark brown, reddish-brown, light brown, grayish-yellow, and gray. The Debao Pony also features an elegant build, gentle temperament, agility, endurance for carrying loads, and robust health. These ponies can be ridden, used to pull carts, and carry heavy loads. They move nimbly and steadily on mountain paths, serving as important transportation tools for people in mountainous regions, as well as being popular attractions in zoos. They are one of the world’s rare and superior horse breeds.

　　In addition to Debao, this type of horse is also found in other areas of Guangxi such as Longlin, Xilin, Tianlin, Lingyun, and Leye. To cultivate and develop this fine southern horse breed, the state established the Jinsha Livestock Farm and Animal Husbandry Research Institute in Xilin County to conduct research on selective breeding, improvement, and reproduction.

　　Today, Debao Ponies have been introduced to zoos in cities such as Beijing, Shandong, Shanxi, Fujian, and Nanning, where they are beloved by both domestic and international visitors.

　　The Debao Pony is renowned both at home and abroad and is a specialty of Debao County in Baise City. Also known as the Guoxia Horse or Pearl Horse, it is a naturally formed and rare precious horse breed in the world. Its mature height ranges from 86 to 106 centimeters. According to expert verification, it is shorter than the world-famous British Shetland pony and is the shortest horse in the world.

　　As early as the Song Dynasty, the Debao Pony was highly favored by the royal family as a tribute. Starting from Emperor Zhenzong of the Northern Song Dynasty, Zhao Heng, the Debao Pony enjoyed the affection of feudal emperors. The “Zhen’an Prefecture Annals” recorded that Zhen’an presented three ponies to the emperor every three years. In the first year of Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang’s reign, a man from Debao named Cen Tianbao rode a Debao Pony all the way to the capital to pay homage in person. Upon seeing the “Guoxia Horse” described in ancient texts with his own eyes, Zhu Yuanzhang was overjoyed and granted Cen Tianbao an official hat and the hereditary position of Zhen’an Tusi (local chieftain). Hence, some also say the Debao Pony is a “lucky horse” or a “horse of promotion and prosperity.”

　　One of the characteristics of the Debao Pony is its pure coat color, which includes dark brown, reddish-brown, light brown, grayish-yellow, and gray. The Debao Pony also has an elegant build, gentle temperament, agility, endurance for carrying loads, and resistance to coarse food and disease. Though small and delicate, the Debao Pony is robust without lacking strength. Its ability to climb and carry loads, as well as its perseverance, are especially praised. These intelligent and nimble horses move swiftly and steadily on mountain roads. They can be ridden, used to pull carts, and carry loads, making them essential transportation tools for people in mountainous areas as well as attractive animals in zoos. In November 1981, a Southwest expedition team organized by the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences discovered the Debao Pony during a breed resource survey in Debao County, Guangxi.