Mongolian horses
The formation of Mongolian
horses lasted for a long time by unconscious and natural selection and
was significantly influenced by the harsh continental climate and conditions
specific to mountain forest, forest steppe and steppe.
Mongolian horses are bred for riding, draught and racing. They are used
as a producer of meat and milk. The breed comprises several strains
like
that differ from each other by their appearance, endurance, perpormance
and speed records.
34.5 thousand tons of horse meat and 8.0 million litres of horse milk
are produced annually in Mongolia. 2.7 thousand tons of horse meat
are
exported. The average liveweight of adult Mongolian horse is 360-380
kg. A good faffened horse weigh 400 kg. Dressing percentage is 52
-
56%, calorafic value - 2886 - 3000 kcal. Horse meat is rich with unsaturated
fat acid and used for treating high blood pressure and atheroscelerosis.
Average daily milk yield of a mare in summer is 7.5 litre. 1.0 - 1.2
million tons of fermented mare's milk (airag) is produced annually
and
used for medicinal purposes. The main coat colour of Mongolian horses
is bay, black, brown, reddish, greyish. Horses' growth continius till
they reach 7 years of age. Puberty finishes at 18-20 months of age
and maturaty at 36 - 40 months of age. Mongolian horses are used for
12-15
years for Mature,
90 percent of transport work among herders are fulfilled by horses.
Sadlle horses can cover 70 - 80 km a day with maximum of 200 km. The
load capacity has reached 960- 1440 kg. Horse racing is very popylar
in Mongolia. Racing competition is organized on the age difference base.
Distance of race for one year old horses is 4-5 km, for two year old
horses 13- 15 km, for three year old horses 18- 19 km, for stallions
and four year old horses 20 km and for adult castrates 25-30 km.
