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 origin	Qinghai, China
Use	Saddle horse and farm work
Traits
Weight	271–321 kg
Height	1.24–1.35 m
Color	Bay, chestnut, black, sometimes grey
Color	Bay, chestnut, black, sometimes grey
Equus ferus caballus

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]