Of Horse and the Prehistoric Men

During early civilization, man hunted animals, including the horse, for meat. Later, they kept such animals as livestock. Man probably learnt to ride by mounting on a tame horse. Only then he discovered that this swift animal gave him the advantage of speed and mobility, vital to hunting, travel and in warfare. Over time, the horse was domesticated and it held a higher status than the animals kept as livestock.

Of Horse and Ancient China

Horses existed in China as early as the Shang Dynasty (1450BC -1050BC). At first, they were used as draught animals in battle. When China faced numerous invasions from the neighbouring Huns who were mainly horsemen, they realised they needed a cavalry force to be on equal footing. By 202BC, the Chinese cavalry became a feared entity.

Horse breeding soon became important and the Chinese imported the finest horses from Persia to add fire and nobility to their own herds. This period was characterised by many paintings and sculptures of horses. Ceramic and bronze horses were often buried with the rich and the noble, especially during the Tang Dynasty (618 - 906AD). Horses were also presented as gifts by the vanquished and vassal states to the Chinese Emperors.

Of the Empire Built on the Backs of Horses

The Mongols were originally nomadic tribesmen of the Steppes. Under the leadership of Genghis Khan (1162-1227 AD), they abandoned their peaceful lifestyle and conquered the largest empire in the history of mankind. The vast Mongol Empire stretched from the west of the Pacific to Asia Minor, across to China and Vietnam.

The Mongols lived their entire lives on horseback. Mongol archers invented the stirrups to steady themselves in the saddle while they shot their arrows. Today, horses are still part and parcel of the modern day rural life in Mongolia.