Shan Horse

Shan Horse
Conservation statusFAO (2007): not at risk[1]: 81 
Other names
  • Shan Myinn[2]
  • Shan Pony[2]
  • Pegu Pony[3]: 141 
Country of originMyanmar
DistributionShan Highland
Use
Traits
Height
  • average 132 cm[4]: 502 
Colourdark colours
grey

The Shan Horse or Shan Myinn is a breed of small mountain horse or pony from the Shan Highland, in Shan State in eastern Myanmar (Burma).[2] It was traditionally bred by the Shan people of that area.[3]: 141  It is one of two horse breeds in Myanmar, the other being the Burmese Horse.[5] It is similar to the Indian Manipuri, Spiti and Bhutia breeds of small horse or pony.[4]: 502 

History

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A colonial-era description of the ponies of the Shan, published in the Gazetteer of Upper Burma and the Shan in 1901, calls them "small and coarse".[6]: 12  According to an account from 1905, they were of similar size and type to the Mongolian, good carriers of weight, good at jumping, generally useful but slow.[3]: 141 

The population of the Shan breed was last reported to DAD-IS in 1991, when there were 9 000 stallions and 13 000 breeding mares.[2] In 2007 its conservation status was recorded by the FAO as "not at risk".[1]: 81 

Characteristics

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The Shan Horse is a small, sturdy mountain horse, well adapted to hot and humid conditions and to altitudes of up to 6 000 m. Its coat is thicker than that of the Burmese breed. It is used as a pack horse, as a draught horse, and for riding.[4]: 502  The coat may be dark or grey.[4]: 502 

References

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  1. ^ a b Barbara Rischkowsky, D. Pilling (eds.) (2007). List of breeds documented in the Global Databank for Animal Genetic Resources, annex to The State of the World's Animal Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture. Rome: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. ISBN 9789251057629. Accessed January 2017.
  2. ^ a b c d Shan Pony/Myanmar. Domestic Animal Diversity Information System of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Accessed January 2017.
  3. ^ a b c William Ridgeway (2015 [1905]). The Origin and Influence of the Thoroughbred Horse. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 9781107502239.
  4. ^ a b c d Valerie Porter, Lawrence Alderson, Stephen J.G. Hall, D. Phillip Sponenberg (2016). Mason's World Encyclopedia of Livestock Breeds and Breeding (sixth edition). Wallingford: CABI. ISBN 9781780647944.
  5. ^ National Consultative Committee (2005). National Report on Animal Genetic Resources, The Union of Myanmar, annex to The State of the World's Animal Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture. Rome: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. ISBN 9789251057629. Accessed January 2017.
  6. ^ Rebecca Cassidy (2009). The Horse, the Kyrgyz Horse and the 'Kyrgyz Horse'. Anthropology Today 25 (1): 12–15. (subscription required)