- Sanhe -

The Sanhe horse breed, found in the northeast of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, is used mainly for riding and carting. "Sanhe" means "three rivers" in Chinese, which is descriptive of the basin forming this region in China. It has some of the best grassland found in China; the Sanha breed is considered the most developed of all the Chinese horse breeds. Around 1000 AD during the Lao Dynasty, the region was known for the quality of its horses, some of which were sent to the emperors by nomadic tribes roaming the land. About seven hundred years later during the Qing dynasty the Soulun breed was bred; they were famous for their appearance and performance under saddle. These horses were used as cavalry horses against invaders.

During 1904 and 1905 the Russian Zabaikal horses were brought through the Baikal and crossed with the local breeds. Orlov and Bechuk horses were brought to the area in 1917 by the Russian settlers to the area. From 1934 to 1945 a stud farm was established by the Japanese with records of Anglo-Arab, Arabian, Thoroughbred, American Trotter, and Chitran horses. In 1955 the Ministry of Agriculture of the Peoples Republic of China began an assessment of the crossbred horses of the area, and managed to establish two stud farms to develop a new breed with the name of the Sanhe.

Sanhe horses are muscular and compact and are usually either chestnut or bay. Other colors are rare. The Sanhe is used for racing, saddle, and harness work. The horses are generally well made, with a sloping shoulder and strong joints and muscling typical of Chinese breeds.

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