Datong horse

The Datong (simplified Chinese: 大通马; traditional Chinese: 大通馬; pinyin: Dàtōng mǎ) is a Chinese breed of small horse or pony native to northern Qinghai. It is a sturdy pony, well adapted to life at high altitudes. As with several other Chinese horse breeds, the population is in decline.

Datong horse
Country of originQinghai, China
UseSaddle horse and farm work
Traits
Weight
  • 271–321 kg
Height
  • 1.24–1.35 m
ColorBay, chestnut, black, sometimes grey

History

The breed originated in a high-altitude biotope, at around 2,400 m, around the Datong drainage basin[1] in northern Qinghai.[2]: 153  In the 19th century, Hequ horses were imported from southern Qinghai to northern Qinghai, to be crossed with the Datong to improve it.[2]: 216  This increased the size of the breed.[2]: 154  From 1934 onwards, some Datongs were crossed to produce the Shandan breed.[2]: 368  The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) lists 60,000 Datong animals in 1980.[1]

Description

The FAO gives an average of 1.26 m for females and 1.31 m for males, with average weights of 271 and 321 kg respectively.[1] The average birth weight of females is 38 kg.[1]

There are two types, light and heavy.[2]: 153  The light pony[1] is a coarse, compact-looking pony, very strong and muscular.[2]: 154  The back is long, but as a whole is harmonious.[2]: 154  The head is heavy, of medium length, broad in the cheeks, with a straight or "rhinoceros" profile.[2]: 154  The ears are of medium length, with open nostrils.[2]: 154  The neck is short, thick and muscular, not very well connected to the withers, which are fairly flat.[2]: 154  Chest deep, ribs well rounded, abdomen elongated.[2]: 154  The rump is short and sloping.[2]: 154  The medium-length legs are covered with feather along the entire length of the barrel.[2]: 154  The joints and hooves are very strong.[2]: 154  The hocks are slightly closed.[2]: 154  The mane and tail are thick and abundant.[2]: 154 

The light Datong has a drier head, longer limbs and a more refined muzzle than the heavy type, and is reputed to be strong and lively.[2]: 154  The Datong's temperament is considered good.[2]: 154  Trotters and gaited can be found in the breed.[2]: 154  The Datong is also renowned for its exceptional endurance, particularly at high altitudes,[2]: 154  up to 3,500 m.[1]

The coat is bay, chestnut, black, or sometimes gray or, even more rarely, leopard complex.[2]: 154  White markings are possible on the head and lower limbs.[2]: 154 

Genetic studies have determined that this breed belongs to the Qinghai and Tibetan Plateau horse group, of which the Datong is a member along with the Hequ, Chaidamu and Yushu.[3][4]

Usage

The Datong is used for agricultural work,[2]: 154  especially as a packhorse.[1] It is also bred for meat.[5]

Spread of breeding

The Datong is one of China's native horse breeds, originating in northern Qinghai to be precise.[2]: 153  In 2005, Datong ponies numbered between 20,000 and 23,024 head.[1] According to the FAO's 2007 assessment, this horse was not threatened with extinction.[6] The threat level is now (2019) indicated as unknown on DAD-IS.[1]

References
  1. "Datong / China (Horse)". Domestic Animal Diversity Information System of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
  2. Hendricks, Bonnie (2007). International Encyclopedia of Horse Breeds (2nd ed.). University Oklahoma Press. ISBN 9780806138848. OCLC 154690199.
  3. "Investitute of animal science, Beijing : Evaluation of the genetic diversity and population structure of Chinese indigenous horses using 27 microsatellite markers". Issues in Animal Science and Research: 2012 Edition. ScholarlyEditions. 2013. ISBN 978-1481646222.
  4. Ling, Yinghui; Ma, Yuehui; Guan, Weijun; Cheng, Yuejiao (2010). "Identification of Y Chromosome Genetic Variations in Chinese Indigenous Horse Breeds". Journal of Heredity. 101 (5): 639–643. doi:10.1093/jhered/esq047. ISSN 0022-1503. PMID 20497969. Retrieved 4 October 2015.
  5. Rousseau (2014, p. 346)
  6. "Breeds Currently Recorded In The Global Databank For Animal Genetic Resources" (PDF). Organisation des Nations Unies Pour l'Alimentation et l'Agriculture: 27. 2007.

Bibliography
  • Rousseau, Élise (2014). Tous les chevaux du monde (in French). Delachaux et Niestlé. ISBN 978-2-603-01865-1.
  • Porter, Valerie (2002). "Datong". Mason's World Dictionary of Livestock Breeds, Types and Varieties. CABI. ISBN 085199430X.
  • Porter, Valerie; Alderson, Lawrence; Hall, Stephen; Sponenberg, Dan (2016). Mason's World Encyclopedia of Livestock Breeds and Breeding (6th ed.). CAB International. p. 460. ISBN 978-1-84593-466-8.
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