Horse culture in Mongolia
Mongolians have been nomadic pastoralists for thousands of years, have used horses extensively in hunting, war, nomadic life, transportation, and postal services, and have become an integral part of their lives, creating a rich horse heritage. The horse has been revered as a man’s faithful companion.
It is not known when horses were first used for riding in Mongolia, but archaeological research has shown that horses were domesticated 2,000 years ago BC. Nomads have developed and passed on a variety of equipment to suit their specific needs. Early Bronze Age petroglyphs in Mongolia depict horses, horsemen, and chariots as the earliest known relics of horses that indicate horses have been used for transportation and day-to-day life.
The saddle sticks, pedals, and whips found in Nukhen Khadan, Jargalant Khairkhan, Mankhan soum, Khovd aimag, which are kept in the Mongolian National Museum, belong to the Turkic
Period. The fact that more than 30 Turkic-era buries with horses have been found in Mongolia indicates that horses were used to be buried with its owner.
As Mongolians respect their horse’s the saddle, bridle and whips are made out of silver, copper, or brass used as decoration of the horse, and same time shows off men’s wealth. Depending on the regions the type and decoration of horse equipment are varied and there are several well-known local characteristics and craftsmanship established over the years such as Batnorov, Dariganga, Dalaichoinkhor, Khuree, Noyon Sevrei, Archuul or Western Mongolian, etc.
Mongolians have a tradition of giving new saddles and bridles to their boys when they reach the age of thirteen. It symbolizes a child becoming a man. It is still customary for daughters to have a new saddle when they marry. Saddles are classified as men’s, women’s, children’s, elderly, racehorses, as well as everyday and decorative, depending on their use and function. There are two types of bridles: simple and decorative. From ancient times, the Mongols decorated the bridle with gold, silver, copper, and brass.
Horse brand is the symbol of Mongolian nomadic tribes and each tribe differentiates themselves and their horses by their horse branding. Horse branding is a highly respected ritual that has to be conducted on a specific day according to the Mongolian zodiac calendar. After the branding ceremony brand would be dipped in milk to be purified.
