Yiwu Horse

Intro

The Yiwu is a small horse that comes from the steppes of Hami, Xinjiang, China. Established in 1955, when several local breeds were systematically crossed for military purposes.

Origins

The breed began at the Yiwu State Stud in Hami Prefecture with crosses between Kazakh and Yili animals. This cross was officially bred until the army’s demand for horses waned and the state stud was closed. As the foundation breeds were hardy, so is the Yiwu, handling altitude and extreme weather with ease. In the summer they are pastured in the Tian Shan Mountains

Features

Average height 13.5-14 hands
Well suited to high altitude.

Physique

Dry head, often with convex profile
Muscular neck
Wide chest
Well sprung barrel
Strong well-defined legs

Traditional Colors

Generally bay or black

Temperament

Willing and able

Use

Riding
Light agriculture
Transportation

Image from DPerstin under the CC BY 2.0 license