Hequ – Nanfan

Geographical Origin

The Hequ (also known as Nanfan) originates from the eastern Tibetan Plateau, more specifically from the Hequ (Maqu) region, located in the Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, in the southwest of Gansu Province.

This area is characterized by:

• high altitude (approximately 3,000 to 3,500 m),
• a cold, windy, and dry climate,
• alpine grasslands used under extensive grazing systems.

Cultural Origin

The Hequ has historically been associated with nomadic Tibetan populations, who have used it for centuries for:

• transport,
• warfare,
• livestock guarding,
• and long-distance travel in mountainous environments.

The breed was never selected for aesthetic purposes, but strictly for functional traits, based on:

• endurance,
• feed efficiency,
• resistance to cold and hypoxia,
• reliability on difficult terrain.

Historical Breeding Area (Breed Cradle)

The cradle of the Hequ horse is located in the northeastern Tibetan Plateau, around the first major bend of the Yellow River, with the Maqu County serving as the main reference center.

• Altitude: approximately 3,000 to 3,700 m,
• Environment: alpine steppes and vast natural pastures,
• Climate: high-altitude continental cold climate, strong winds, and long winters.

Extended Traditional Breeding Area

Historically, Hequ breeding extends across an ecological continuum covering three Chinese provinces:

• Gansu (south): Maqu, Xiahe, Luqu,
• Qinghai (east): high-altitude pastures of the upper Yellow River valley,
• Sichuan (north): adjacent Tibetan plateaus.

Dominant Breeding System

• Extensive herd-based breeding in semi-free-ranging groups,
• Natural grazing without external inputs,
• Strong natural selection driven by cold, altitude, and long distances.

Current Challenges of the Breeding Area

• Preservation of high-altitude pastures,
• Maintaining on-site breeding, a key condition for genetic stability,
• Limiting crossbreeding outside the native area.

Ancient Indigenous Lineage

The Hequ horse belongs to the group of indigenous Chinese mountain breeds that have been preserved in situ for centuries. Only weakly influenced by modern exogenous bloodlines, it represents an ancient genetic reservoir, characteristic of East Asian horses adapted to extreme environments.

Genetic Adaptations to Altitude

The Hequ is a natural model of high-altitude adaptation:

• Tolerance to hypoxia (low oxygen pressure),
• Efficient cardio-respiratory function and good tissue oxygenation,
• Energy-efficient metabolism, capable of functioning on coarse and seasonal forage.

These traits are of significant interest for biological and zootechnical research.

Hereditary Hardiness

• Genetic resistance to cold, wind, and thermal fluctuations,
• Strength of hooves and of the locomotor system,
• High functional longevity.

These heritable characteristics make the Hequ a reference breed for sustainable livestock breeding.

Role in Asian Equine Biodiversity

• Genetic relationships with other Chinese and Tibetan mountain horses,
• A living testimony to equine evolution on the northeastern Tibetan Plateau,
• A key element for studies in phylogeny and genetic diversity of Asian horses.

Scientific and Conservation Value

The Hequ is regularly included in:

• Genomic analyses of Chinese indigenous horses,
• Animal genetic resource conservation programs,
• Comparative studies with Mongolian, Central Asian, and Tibetan horses.

Genetic Challenges

• Risk of genetic dilution through uncontrolled crossbreeding,
• Progressive erosion of traditional pastoral systems,
• Priority given to in situ conservation and the establishment of structured regional registries.

Very Ancient Origins

The Hequ horse is among the oldest indigenous equine breeds in China. Its history is inseparable from the northeastern Tibetan Plateau, around the first major bend of the Yellow River. As early as Antiquity, Chinese and Tibetan chronicles mention robust mountain horses, capable of surviving cold, high altitude, and long distances.

The historical core of the breed is located around Maqu County, a natural crossroads between inner China and the high Tibetan plateaus. The alpine steppes and high-altitude pastures imposed severe natural selection, shaping a horse that is compact, enduring, and economical.

Horse of Pastoral Life and Trade Routes

For centuries, the Hequ served as:

• a pack horse for caravans (salt, tea, wool, cereals),
• a utility mount for Tibetan pastoralists during seasonal migrations,
• a link horse on high-altitude routes connecting valleys to the plateau.

Its reliability and sure-footedness made it an essential auxiliary of daily life.

Historical Military Role

The Hequ was used as a light cavalry and messenger horse for:

• border patrols,
• rapid transport of information in difficult terrain,
• an endurance mount rather than a powerful warhorse.

Its modest size was offset by exceptional resilience and great frugality.

Traditional Selection

Until the 20th century, the breed was selected without a formal studbook, according to empirical criteria:

• winter survival,
• work and pack endurance,
• fertility and longevity.

This collective selection process made it possible to preserve a stable and ancient genetic heritage.

General Temperament

The Hequ horse displays a calm, steady, and reliable temperament, the result of long-term utilitarian selection in extreme environments.

It is a mentally resilient horse, rarely prone to panic.

• Balanced and stable nature,
• Low nervousness,
• Very high tolerance to harsh conditions (cold, wind, isolation).

Relationship with Humans

• Docile and cooperative,
• Respectful, without excessive submission,
• Progressive but lasting attachment to the handler or rider.

The Hequ is not demonstrative, but it inspires constant trust.

Intelligence and Adaptation

• Practical and functional intelligence,
• Excellent sense of terrain and energy efficiency,
• Ability to make sound “decisions” in rugged terrain.

It is able to manage its energy over long distances, an essential quality at altitude.

Work Behavior

• Willing and enduring, without haste,
• Regular, secure gaits,
• Highly reliable as a pack horse, for long-distance travel or rustic trekking,
• Sure-footed on rocky, frozen, or unstable ground.

Social Behavior

• Harmonious herd life,
• Stable and low-aggression hierarchy,
• Good tolerance of close proximity in extensive breeding systems.

Synthetic Behavioral Profile

• Patient, courageous, and consistent horse,
• Mentally undemanding,
• Well adapted to heritage projects, conservation breeding, mountain trekking, and demanding environments.

Genetic Conservation

• Growing priority given to in situ preservation within its native territory (around Maqu County),
• Integration of the Hequ into scientific programs focusing on genetic diversity and high-altitude adaptation,
• Identified need for a structured regional registry to secure breed purity.

Sustainable Breeding & Climate

• A breed well positioned to face climate change, due to feed efficiency, robustness, and low dependence on external inputs,
• A relevant model for low-carbon extensive systems in mountain and high-altitude areas.

Valorization of Uses

• Controlled development of mountain trekking and cultural ecotourism,
• Educational role in raising awareness of equine biodiversity and Sino-Tibetan pastoral cultures,
• Growing interest in heritage parks and cultural projects.

Risks and Constraints

• Erosion of traditional pastoralism and increased motorization of transport,
• Uncontrolled crossbreeding likely to dilute adaptive traits,
• Fragmentation of high-altitude pastures.

Recognition & Cooperation

• Potential for international recognition within animal genetic resource inventories,
• Possible cooperation with local breed conservation networks and research projects.

The Hequ horse is known for its excellent overall health and high functional longevity. Its robustness is the result of severe natural selection in cold, dry, and high-altitude environments.

Hardiness and Resistance

• Very high resistance to cold and wind,
• Good tolerance to temperature variations,
• Strong natural immunity to common diseases,
• Low parasite pressure in extensive high-altitude breeding systems.

Locomotor System

• Dense bone structure and solid limbs,
• Resistant tendons, rarely prone to injury,
• Hard hooves, with thick and healthy horn,
• Few hoof-related pathologies; trimming is often infrequent under natural conditions.

Respiratory and Cardiovascular System

• Excellent respiratory capacity,
• Physiological adaptation to hypoxia (high altitude),
• Rarely affected by pulmonary disorders in dry and cold climates.

Digestive System

• Very good utilization of coarse forage,
• Low incidence of colic,
• Energy-efficient metabolism,
• Caution with overly rich rations in intensive systems (risk of overweight and laminitis).

Skin and Coat

• Thick and resistant skin,
• Abundant mane and tail with a dense coat providing excellent winter protection,
• Good resistance to UV exposure at high altitude.

Points of Vigilance Outside the Native Environment

When bred in lowland or humid regions:

• Increased sensitivity to parasites,
• Risk of metabolic imbalances,
• Importance of gradual acclimatization (diet and climate).

Recommended Health Management

• Reasoned veterinary monitoring, non-intensive,
• Vaccinations adapted to the local context,
• Targeted deworming,
• Extensive management systems preferred.