 Rider and his horse at Yushu Horse Festival, in July 2008 | |
| Conservation status | Not endangered |
|---|---|
| Country of origin | Tibet, China |
| Traits | |
| Height |
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| Color | Generally bay or gray, often with pangaré. Champagne gene possible |
Yushu (simplified Chinese: 玉树马; traditional Chinese: 玉樹馬; pinyin: Yùshùmǎ, meaning "Yushu horse") is a horse breed originating from the Tibetan autonomous prefecture of Yushu in Tibet, administratively located in Qinghai, China. It is a local variety of the Tibetan pony. About its measurements, it is medium-sized and one of the few horse breeds that have the champagne gene. Its breeding was discouraged by Chinese authorities in the 1990s. Fit for the saddle, Yushu is adapted to its highland environment. It has been the subject of several studies on its genetic diversity and blood composition. The breed has become rare today, although it is not considered endangered by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). It is honored every year at a major equestrian festival, which attracts thousands of spectators.