The Mongols rode a small, hardy breed of horse that is known today as the Mongolian horse or the Przewalski’s horse. The Mongolian horse was perfectly adapted to the conditions of the Mongolian steppe, and it was one of the keys to the success of the Mongol military. The horse was capable of sustained travel, it could survive on minimal food and water, and it could be used for a wide variety of purposes, including riding, packing, and pulling wagons. The Mongolian horse was, in many ways, the foundation of the Mongol military tradition, and the Mongols maintained large herds of horses throughout the empire.
The Mongolian horse was, by the standards of the medieval world, a relatively small horse, typically standing about 12 to 14 hands (122 to 142 cm) at the shoulder. The horse was, however, very sturdy and very hardy, and it was capable of carrying a fully armed warrior for long distances in difficult conditions. The horse was also remarkably sure-footed, and it could navigate the rough terrain of the steppe with ease.
The Origins of the Mongolian Horse
The Mongolian horse is one of the oldest and most distinctive breeds of horse in the world. The breed is believed to be descended from the wild horses of the Mongolian steppe, which have been present in the region for thousands of years. The wild horses of the steppe were domesticated by the early Mongol peoples, and the domesticated horses were used for riding, packing, and pulling wagons.
The Mongolian horse was a major factor in the development of the Mongol military tradition. The horse was the basis of the mobility that gave the Mongols their tactical advantage, and the horse was the basis of the pastoral economy that supported the Mongol population. The horse was, in effect, the foundation of the Mongol way of life, and the Mongols maintained a deep affection for their horses.
The Use of Multiple Horses
One of the distinctive features of the Mongol military was the use of multiple horses for each warrior. The typical Mongol warrior was accompanied by three or four horses, and the horses were rotated in the course of a march or a battle. The system of multiple horses gave the Mongols a number of decisive advantages, including the ability to travel and fight at speeds that were unmatched by any of their enemies.
The use of multiple horses was based on the system of pastoral nomadism that was characteristic of the Mongol people. The Mongols maintained large herds of horses, and the horses were used for a variety of purposes. The Mongols kept their horses in good condition by rotating them frequently, and the system of multiple horses allowed the Mongols to maintain a high level of mobility over long periods.
The Equipment of the Horse
The Mongol horse was equipped with a simple but effective set of tack. The saddle was a wooden frame covered with leather, and it was designed to be both comfortable and secure. The bridle was a simple leather strap with a metal bit, and it was designed to give the warrior precise control of the horse. The stirrups were iron, and they were attached to the saddle by leather straps.
The tack was designed to be light and easy to handle, and it could be quickly removed and reassembled. The tack was also designed to be durable, and it could withstand the rigors of the steppe. The tack was, in effect, a major innovation of the Mongol military tradition, and it was widely copied by the armies of the successor states.
The Care of the Horse
The Mongols took great care of their horses, and the horses were treated as members of the family. The Mongols fed their horses on a mixture of grass and hay, and they provided the horses with water at regular intervals. The Mongols also provided the horses with a special kind of fermented mare’s milk, called airag or kumis, which was a major source of nutrition for the horses (and for the Mongols themselves).
The care of the horse was a central feature of Mongol life, and the Mongols were renowned for their skill as horsemen. The Mongols were particularly skilled at training horses, and they developed a number of techniques for training horses that were widely copied by other peoples. The Mongols were also skilled at breeding horses, and they maintained careful records of the pedigrees of their horses.
The Modern Mongolian Horse
The Mongolian horse is still bred in Mongolia today, and it is still a major feature of Mongolian life. The Mongolian horse is used for a variety of purposes, including riding, packing, and pulling wagons, and it is a major symbol of the Mongolian national identity. The Mongolian horse is also a major tourist attraction, and visitors to Mongolia often go horseback riding in the steppe.
The Mongolian horse is also significant for its genetic contribution to other horse breeds. The Mongolian horse is believed to be the ancestor of several other breeds of horse, including the Chinese Mongolian, the Korean Jeju, and the Japanese Hokkaido. The Mongolian horse is, in this sense, a major contributor to the genetic heritage of horses in East Asia.
Sources
- Timothy May, The Mongol Art of War (Barnsley, 2007).
- David Morgan, The Mongols (2nd ed., Oxford, 2007).
- Christopher I. Beckwith, Empires of the Silk Road (Princeton, 2009).