For years the Mongolians have been practicing pastoral horse breeding as a major branch of animal husbandry. Mongolia has 2.2 million heads of horses. It is the leading country in the world in the horse population and ranks 17th in the world in the number of per capita horses.
The horses in Mongolia are a dual-purpose livestock, used primarily for riding and carting, but are also used for meat and milk production.
Like many other nations, Mongolia has its own horse breed to be proud about. The native breed is simply called the Mongolian horse. The Mongolian horse has come to occupy a clear role in Mongolian communities. Like many other horses, they function as work animals. They may have been largely used for transportation, pulling carts and other kinds of agricultural work. These horses have also traditionally been bred for meat and milk production. They can generate up to 0.55 pounds of milk a day. The milk obtained from horses can be used as the base ingredient for the Mongolian national drink.
Mongolian horses are of a stocky build, with relatively short legs and a large head. They have a certain resemblance to Przewalski’s Horse. The mane and tail are very long, and the strands are often used for braiding ropes. The horse’s tail hair can be used for violin bows. The hooves are very robust, and are not usually fitted with horseshoes.
At first glance, Mongolian horses look much like ponies because of their sizes. They grow up to a maximum of fourteen hands. They have thickset bodies and squat legs. They also have heads that are bigger in proportion to the rest of their structures.
In Mongolia, the horses live on open pastures all year. Even some of those that are ridden are not roped or kept in stables. It is perhaps because of this kind of treatment that many of the horses from this breed are willful and spirited. It is possible though to get Mongolian horses accustomed to human company.
Mongolian horses are frugal, arduous, somewhat wily, and tread safely in rough terrain. In Mongolia, most animals are kept roaming free, and only a small number of riding animals get caught and tethered. Once the animal has become familiarized with carrying a rider, it will be calm, friendly, and very reliable. Reputed as short, stout, and slightly repugnant in appearance, the Mongolian horse far surpasses more noble beasts in endurance and strength.
The Mongolian horse is a very durable animal. They are good at recognizing the places they pass through, the meadows they graze on and well recognize the owner. Compared to other horse breeds, the native Mongolian breed horse has the ability to withstand winter with the least loss of its live weight. Studies show that the Mongolian horse loses the maximum 18 per cent of its live weight in severe winter conditions while other horse breeds in the world lose nearly 25 per cent of their live weight. By September 15, the Mongolian horses easily regain the lost weight. Adapted to Mongolia’s harsh winter Mongolian horses have 3-4 times longer hair coat in winter than in summer and have very thin skin. They live longer and require less food for survival than other horse breeds. They are excellent foragers in the extreme steppe winters, talented at finding and digging out grass buried and frozen under feet of snow.
The Mongolian horse was the main 'weapon' that allowed them to conquer the half of the world in the 13th century and establish the Mongol Empire. There is a traditional saying in Mongolian: "A Mongol without a horse is like a Bird without the wings". Chingis Khan himself once said: "It is easy to conquer the world from the back of a horse". A horse is a traditional gift to male kids when they turn 3 years old. A nomad with many horses is considered wealthy, and having many horses which are also in good shape is considered honorable behavior. The Mongolians almost never kill their horses for food unless they are in a state of extreme hunger and cattle or sheep, goats are not available. The Mongolians individually have favorite horses and each family member has his and her own horse.
Horses in Mongolia are also used for meat and milk production. Although the Mongolians prefer beef and mutton, the horse meat is on the menu as a source of protein. Unlike the Kazakhs, who consume quite a bit of horsemeat, the Khalkh Mongolians usually only eat horsemeat for early winter festivals. At this time of year, the quality of the meat is good because of the stored fat in the tissue. Also, the horse meat is cheaper than beef and mutton but is of high quality. 100 gram of the horse flesh is surveyed to contain 15-17 varieties of albuminous acid. It is rich in alpha, beta and gamma globulin. The horse flesh is easily digested and is effective against senility for it dissolves some chemical compounds in human organism that lead to early aging. No wonder, the Europeans call the horse meat “rejuvenation meat”.
In Mongolia, the mare's milk is processed into the national beverage airag. Airag contains 14 times more vitamin C than cow's milk, but also yields vitamins A, B1, B2, B12, D, and E and contains between 1 and 2.5% ethyl alcohol. Airag is said to have many health benefits and is used to treat tuberculosis and other lung ailments. It also clears out any poison; especially the consequence of much fat consumed during long winter, and strengthens the body. It is full of the same vitamins that allow foals to gain up strength and weight. Airag is available for at least 6 months out of the year, starting in May when the foals are born. Both men and women milk the mares and it must be done about 5 times a day. Fermentation is done in a specially made big skin bag called Khokhuur which is hung up in the doorway of the ger, traditional Mongolian dwelling so that family members could swat it every time they entered or exited the home. To get good quality airag it is required to stir the ripening milk at least 4000-5000 times every day.
Mare’s milk is very similar to the maternal milk and it contains over 200 kinds of vitamins, organic and mineral elements. To get good quality milk, mares are grazed on best pastures and in cool places near rivers and lakes. The amount of milk produced by one mare averages about 1.5-2 liters when milked six times a day. The remaining milk goes to colts. So, in order to make enough airag for a family, as well as for visitors it is required to have at least a dozen mares.
Very helpful! Thank you!
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