Guoxia Pony

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Country of Origin: Southwest China

Almost all horses in ancient china originated from Mongolian horses. Most of the horses while small are just considered small horses but not ponies. Many mature to be over 14.2 hands (4 inches per hand). This is the one horse from china that is considered an actually pony. Little is known about the history of this breed. A bronze statue was found that was dated to about 2,000 years old. The literal translation of the name means "under fruit tree horse." This could mean that pony was used to collect fruit from trees. The breed is very useful as a child's pony and even as a cart pony. The breed was largely forgotten and considered extinct until it was rediscovered in 1981 and a breed association was established.

The Guoxia have good temperaments, are quiet, willing, tough and have good endurance. They are coarse in appearance, have primitive horse features, large heads, small ears, short necks, and their back or top line is short and straight. Their shoulders are straight, not sloping, as well. The legs are well formed, strong, with god bone and hard feet. The colors are bay, roan, or gray. The breed is only about 11 hands in height and usually smaller.

Child's pony, harness, riding.

Horses in Ancient China

International Encyclopedia of Horse Breeds