Abaga Black Horse

Abaga Black Horse

The Abaga Black Horse is a geographical indication certification trademark.

The Abaga Black Horse is a geographical indication agricultural product.

　　The Abaga Black Horse is the legendary Seng Seng Black Horse. In the depths of the Abaga Grassland, within Naren Bolige Sumu, there is a naturally formed rock with a horseshoe imprint, which local herders call the Genghis Khan Horseshoe Rock. The great Genghis Khan once led his troops through this area, was deeply impressed by its beauty, ordered his army to camp here, worshipped the nearby ovoo, and drank from the famous spring — Seng Seng Bolge (Mongolian for "the best spring"). The soldiers rested and the horses recovered their strength, with soldiers filled with joy and warhorses galloping cheerfully, leaving behind hoof prints. Over 230 petroglyphs have been discovered in Abaga Banner, more than 60 of which are related to horses. Genghis Khan’s half-brother, Beligutai, was stationed to guard the Abaga Tribe (the town where Abaga Banner is located, Beligutai Town, is named after him), and he made outstanding contributions to the establishment of the Mongol Empire. He held multiple positions, one of which was managing all the warhorses of the Mongol Empire. Beligutai had a particular fondness for pure black horses that were strong-bodied, had well-developed limbs, long backs, fast running speeds, and great endurance. Over time, the Abaga Black Horse has thrived here, gradually becoming the local fine breed under the influence of both natural and artificial selection. The Abaga Black Horse (formerly known as the Seng Seng Black Horse) is named after the renowned spring — Seng Seng Bolge (Mongolian for "the best spring") — which is the historical background of the folk legend of the "Seng Seng Black Horse." For a long time, local herders have selected stallions with shiny black coats, well-developed bodies, and fast running speeds as breeding stock. Over time, this has resulted in the present-day Abaga Black Horse. In April 1958, the Grassland Militia Company was established in Sain Tumen Gachaa of Baogeduwula Sumu (now Beligutai Town), Abaga Banner. On the August 1st Army Day in 1959, the "Black Horse Company" participated in the filming of the movie "Morning Song on the Grassland." In October 1960, the August First Film Studio produced a documentary about the "Black Horse Company." The movies "The Black Horse Company of Abaga Banner" and the TV series "Today's Black Horse Company" were distributed nationwide, becoming exemplary models for the national militia. After an investigation in 2006, and through multi-party consultation, the former name "Seng Seng Black Horse" was changed to "Abaga Black Horse." In June 2009, it was reviewed and certified by the National Livestock and Poultry Genetic Resources Committee as a livestock and poultry genetic resource, and included in the National Livestock and Poultry Genetic Resources List.

　　Region: Inner Mongolia

　　Applicant: Abaga Banner Animal Husbandry Work Station

　　Region: 2013

　　Geographic Scope

　　The protected production area of the Abaga Black Horse geographical indication agricultural product covers 71 gachas (administrative villages) across six sums (townships) in Abaga Banner, Xilin Gol League, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, including Jirgalangtu Sumu, Yihegaole Sumu, Naren Bolige Sumu, Beligutai Town, Honggor Gaole Town, and Chagan Nur Town. It is located in the central-northern part of the Xilin Gol League, between 113°28′ to 116°11′ east longitude and 43°05′ to 45°26′ north latitude. It borders Dong Ujimqin Banner and Xilinhot City to the east, Sonid Left Banner to the west, Zhenglan Banner to the south, and shares a 175 km border with Mongolia to the north. The total grassland area is 27,000 square kilometers. There are 8,000 horses, including 5,000 adult mares, with an annual production of 2,000 tons of horse milk.

　　Product Quality Characteristics

　　The Abaga Black Horse, under long-term natural and artificial selection influenced by full-time grazing conditions on the grasslands of Abaga Banner, Xilin Gol League, possesses traits such as tolerance to coarse feed, ease of herding, resistance to severe cold, rapid weight gain, strong disease resistance, good fat retention, and strong herd behavior. Abaga Banner is historically known as the "Homeland of Airag (fermented mare’s milk)." 1. Unique Sensory Characteristics: The horse has a shiny black coat, a relatively refined yet sturdy build, well-proportioned structure, solid bones, and well-developed, powerful muscles. Its head is slightly refined, straight or slightly semi-rabbit-headed, with a broad forehead, large and expressive eyes, thick muzzle, large nostrils, small upright ears with thick bases. The neck is moderately long, with a low neck base, mostly straight, featuring well-developed neck muscles, and good integration between head and neck, neck and shoulders, and neck and back. The withers are low and thick. The chest is broad and full, often wide-chested. Mares have large, well-filled abdomens, while stallions typically have well-formed bellies. The back and loin are straight and slightly long, well-integrated. The croup is short and sloping. The limbs are straight and well-formed, with prominent and well-developed joints and tendons, solid hooves that are small and round, long pasterns, and thick hoof soles with good elasticity. Mane, tail, and fetlock hairs are well-developed, with tail hair of moderate length and thickness. 2. Internal Quality Indicators: Speed and Endurance: The Abaga Black Horse is agile and swift, with strong endurance. Tests show a 3,200-meter speed of 3'20''16 and a 20 km speed of 31'1'' (rider weight 59 kg, saddle weight 13.5 kg). Mare Milk Production: Each mare has an average lactation period of around 90 days, producing approximately 300 kg of horse milk per year. 3. Quality and Safety Regulations: The production of fermented mare’s milk (airag) must comply with the "Regulations on the Supervision and Administration of Dairy Product Quality and Safety" and the "Review Guidelines for Licensing Conditions of Enterprises Producing Ethnic Traditional Dairy Products (2011 Edition)." Hygiene standards strictly follow those for raw milk production, processing, and inspection. Compliance with the "Agricultural Product Quality and Safety Law," "Animal Epidemic Prevention Law," "Food Safety Law," and other relevant laws and regulations is mandatory.