Ky Son strives to preserve native horse breeds

Muong Long horses are a native breed of horses in Ky Son district, raised since ancient times in mountainous areas where Mong people live such as Muong Long, Huoi Tu, Na Ngoi... of which the most are in Muong Long commune.

Muong Long horses are a native breed of horse, raised by the Mong people since ancient times. Photo: QA

Muong Long horses adapt to cold climates, natural conditions in mountainous areas over 1,300m above sea level and have few diseases, suitable for the raising methods of the Mong people in Nghe An.

Muong Long horses have a variety of colors with yellow, brown or black fur. An adult horse is usually about 1.1 - 1.3 meters tall, weighing nearly 200 kg. In the past, horses were used by people in the highlands to carry rice or transport goods, and to ride up and down the mountains. However, over time, this breed of horse has become increasingly rare.

Horses are raised in Muong Long commune, Ky Son district. Photo: QA

Mr. Va Nhia Tu, Muong Long 1 village, Muong Long commune said: “In the past, the roads were difficult and dangerous, there were no vehicles, so people raised horses a lot, and during harvest season, they carried rice home on horseback. However, in reality, horses have weaker pulling power than buffaloes and cows, not to mention that they are more difficult to take care of and harder to tame, so gradually people stopped raising them…”.

According to statistics, previously in Muong Long commune there were about 100 horses, but by the end of 2023 there were only about 30 horses left, raised scattered in Muong Long 1, Muong Long 2, Trung Tam villages...

Although the number of horses in the area used to be quite large, it is now decreasing. Photo: QA

Mr. Va Cha Xa - Chairman of Muong Long Commune People's Committee said: Since ancient times, when there were no vehicles, machines, eroded and bumpy roads, people here raised horses in large numbers. However, up to now, raising horses to meet the needs of moving, transporting goods... is not as much as before. Besides, the price of horses on the market is not too high, a mature horse only costs from 10 to 20 million, not much different from buffaloes and cows, so gradually people do not raise them anymore. In fact, the risk of the disappearance of the native horse breed is completely possible.

Nghe An Center for Application of Science and Technology Advances checks the current status and development of Muong Long horses in the area. Photo: QA

Faced with the risk of the indigenous Muong Long horse breed disappearing, the Nghe An Center for Application of Science and Technology Advances has coordinated with the Animal Husbandry Institute to develop plans to preserve this rare horse breed.

A representative of the Nghe An Center for Application of Science and Technology Advances said: With the specific climate, weather, and terrain in Ky Son district in general and Muong Long commune in particular, it is very difficult to have a livestock that can adapt and survive in such conditions, but the horse breed here has survived. This is a precious, beautiful horse breed with good vitality, so it is impossible to lose this livestock gene source. Currently, the two units are coordinating to implement a model to preserve the indigenous Muong Long horse, focusing on guiding and training people on breeding techniques, supporting veterinary medicine, food, disease prevention skills, etc. so that the horse herd can still be maintained.

Currently, Muong Long commune is one of the most attractive tourist destinations in Ky Son district and Nghe An province in general. This place is famous for its plum and peach blossoms, bright red rose gardens... and the surrounding fog. Therefore, preserving the native horse breed not only helps preserve the rare genetic resources of livestock but also creates a unique feature, contributing to the development of tourism in this "heaven's gate" area.

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