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 province. It is a sturdy pony, well adapted to life at high altitudes. As with several other Chinese horse breeds, the population is in decline.
| Country of origin | Qinghai, China |
|---|---|
| Use | Saddle horse and farm work |
| Traits | |
| Weight |
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| Height |
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| Color | Bay, chestnut, black, sometimes grey |
History edit
The breed originated in a high-altitude biotope, at around 2,400 m, around the Datong drainage basin[1] in northern Qinghai province.[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 edit
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 edit
The Datong is used for agricultural work,[2]: 154 especially as a packhorse.[1] It is also bred for meat.[5]
Spread of breeding edit
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 edit
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "Datong / China (Horse)". Domestic Animal Diversity Information System of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x Hendricks, Bonnie (2007). International Encyclopedia of Horse Breeds (2nd ed.). University Oklahoma Press. ISBN 9780806138848. OCLC 154690199.
- ^ "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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Rousseau (2014, p. 346)
- ^ "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 edit
- 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.