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| "Stakes" for horses have long been a traditional livestock farming practice among people in the highlands. |
In the Sloi Chang field, Vang Khit village, Van Lang commune, we met Mr. Ho Duyen busily driving stakes and tying ropes for his family's white horses. For nearly 20 years, his family has been one of the first households to receive support in the form of white horses from the local poverty reduction program. Starting with just two horses, his herd has grown steadily, providing a significant source of income. At times, each white horse sold for 50-60 million VND.
Mr. Duyen is one of the rare individuals who still maintains the traditional practice of "staking" horses. Many families in the Sloi Chang horse-stake area in Vang Khit village also graze their horses there because of the large area and wide field, making it easier to monitor the herd compared to other grazing grounds. However, Mr. Ho Duyen is the only one who still sleeps in a hut in the middle of the field to watch over his horses.
Mr. Duyen recounted that, for those who "stem" horses, they can move their horses to several pastures each year, depending on the amount of grass available and the size of the herd. They spend their days riding with the horses and their nights sleeping in small huts in the fields. Though arduous, it provides a stable life. Thanks to the horses, he has been able to provide for his children's education and help them get married.
In Van Lang, it's not just Mr. Duyen's family but many other households that have succeeded thanks to raising white horses. Ms. Nong Thi Nhung's family, also from Van Khit village, used to maintain a herd of nearly 20 horses each year. From this income, she raised her two sons to adulthood, providing them with stable jobs, and also accumulated capital to open a business providing horse breeding services.
Ms. Nhung said: "Previously, our family was struggling financially, so my husband and I took turns tending the horses. When our child grew up and knew how to herd them, we let him do it. Later, when our child went to university and there was no one to help with the herding, we sold some of the horses to support his education. Currently, our family still maintains a herd of 4 to 5 horses each year."
Ms. Nong Thi Diep, Chairwoman of the People's Committee of Van Lang commune, said: Van Lang commune is a mountainous commune facing many difficulties. It has limited arable land due to its location in the core area of the Kim Hy National Reserve. To help people earn a living and gradually escape poverty, for many years the commune has implemented programs, projects, and preferential loan sources to encourage households to register for buffalo and white horse breeding.
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| Mr. Ngo Xuan Truong (Ngan Son commune) takes care of his herd of horses on his family's fruit orchard. |
Not only in Van Lang, the "horse tethering" model is also being flexibly applied in many places. We visited the Khau Khang pass area, in Ngan Son commune, to see the horse breeding model amidst the fruit orchards of Mr. Ngo Xuan Truong. He said: "Since 2024, I have started expanding the area of fruit trees such as peaches, pears, chestnuts, anise... on a total area of more than 3 hectares. During the time when the trees are not yet producing fruit, I tie the horses under the trees to take advantage of the natural grass source. When the trees are in bloom, I move the horses to another area to protect the crops. Currently, he maintains a herd of more than 10 horses, selling horse meat and aiming to develop experiential tourism ."
For a long time, horse farming has been a familiar way of life for people in the highlands. This method of raising horses is suitable for the natural conditions, farming practices, and labor capacity of the local people. From a traditional farming practice, horse farming has become a practical livelihood, contributing to a more prosperous life for the people in the highlands.
Source: https://baothainguyen.vn/xa-hoi/202604/nghe-coc-ngua-o-vung-cao-5111643/
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