Hequ

A breed from the Qinghai Province of China, the Hequ is used as a draft and pack animal, and for racing and riding.  The word "Hequ" means "river zig" and the breed was given this name because the horses were originally found along the Yellow River, at places where it "Zigs".

Large numbers of horses were imported by the Tang dynasty emperor from western Asian countries.  The Hequ were mixed with Mongolian stock at the time.

Mare Hequ's can produce up to thirteen foals in a lifetime.  Their native land is 11,000 feet in altitude, which means the temperatures are low and the climate is moist during summer. 

Hequ horses are black, grey or brown, and come in three different types and sizes.