Английская Википедия:Datong horse
The Datong (Шаблон:Zh) 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.
History
The breed originated in a high-altitude biotope, at around 2,400 m, around the Datong drainage basin[1] in northern Qinghai province.Шаблон:R In the 19th century, Hequ horses were imported from southern Qinghai to northern Qinghai, to be crossed with the Datong to improve it.Шаблон:R This increased the size of the breed.Шаблон:R From 1934 onwards, some Datongs were crossed to produce the Shandan breed.Шаблон:R 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.Шаблон:R The light pony[1] is a coarse, compact-looking pony, very strong and muscular.Шаблон:R The back is long, but as a whole is harmonious.Шаблон:R The head is heavy, of medium length, broad in the cheeks, with a straight or "rhinoceros" profile.Шаблон:R The ears are of medium length, with open nostrils.Шаблон:R The neck is short, thick and muscular, not very well connected to the withers, which are fairly flat.Шаблон:R Chest deep, ribs well rounded, abdomen elongated.Шаблон:R The rump is short and sloping.Шаблон:R The medium-length legs are covered with feather along the entire length of the barrel.Шаблон:R The joints and hooves are very strong.Шаблон:R The hocks are slightly closed.Шаблон:R The mane and tail are thick and abundant.Шаблон:R
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.Шаблон:R The Datong's temperament is considered good.Шаблон:R Trotters and gaited can be found in the breed.Шаблон:R The Datong is also renowned for its exceptional endurance, particularly at high altitudes,Шаблон:R up to 3,500 m.[1]
The coat is bay, chestnut, black, or sometimes gray or, even more rarely, leopard complex.Шаблон:R White markings are possible on the head and lower limbs.Шаблон:R
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.[2][3]
Usage
The Datong is used for agricultural work,Шаблон:R especially as a packhorse.[1] It is also bred for meat.[4]
Spread of breeding
The Datong is one of China's native horse breeds, originating in northern Qinghai to be precise.Шаблон:R 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.[5] The threat level is now (2019) indicated as unknown on DAD-IS.[1]
References
Bibliography
