The Mongols, known as a purely nomadic people and famed for their horsemanship, have left a profound mark on history through their flexibility and superior tactics.
Mongolian horses are not tall, with an average height of about 120-135 cm, which is shorter than Arabian horses and Great Yuan horses (a horse breed from Central Asia). Although their speed is less than that of European horses, Mongolian horses possess endurance and combat effectiveness that are not inferior. This is largely due to the Mongols’ excellent tactical coordination, which not only relied on the strength of their horses but also on their ability to maximize their potential.
Horses play a crucial role for the Mongols.
It can be said that horses are the lifeblood of the Mongols; whether in nomadic life or in battles against distant nations, ancient Mongols could not survive without horses. When fighting, ancient Mongols not only had their main army but also special transport teams to supplement supplies. In wars, the side without a rear supply line often faced defeat, but for the ancient Mongols, all tribes fought, not just the army.
When the ancient Mongolian army went into battle, all men, women, children, and their families would join the battlefield, bringing along a large number of livestock such as horses, cattle, camels, and sheep. Among them, mares were the most common and were frequently used in western expeditions. So why did ancient Mongols bring so many mares on their campaigns?
Mongolian horses have endurance and combat effectiveness comparable to Arabian horses.
Reason One: Speed
When the Mongols embarked on expeditions, they were accompanied by transport teams to address logistics and supply issues. Consider the three western expeditions of the Mongol Empire. The shortest journey was five or six thousand kilometers, while the longest exceeded 10,000 kilometers. In the age of cold weapons, each expedition lasted several months to several years. Horses were the fastest means of transport, with the average marching speed of the ancient Mongolian army being 80 to 90 km per day. This speed could only be achieved by Mongolian horses.
In the Mongolian army, each person had more than one horse to alternate.
The speed of livestock, sheep, and other animals is certainly not as fast as horses, even less than half. Therefore, to maintain marching speed, ancient Mongols preferred to bring horses into battle, and each person had more than one horse to alternate. Horses could also carry supplies, especially Mongolian horses, which have extraordinary endurance that few other breeds can match. They only needed a short period of rest each day to recover, creating significant advantages compared to other livestock.
Reason Two: Horses as Strategic “Material,” Especially Mares
Horses in the age of cold weapons can be compared to today’s tanks, and cavalry at that time were equivalent to modern armored units. However, the difference is that horses were not only used as riding animals but were also very important strategic materials, especially mares.
Mares can produce mare’s milk, but stallions cannot. The ancient Mongols relied heavily on mare’s milk, which has a higher nutritional value than cow’s and goat’s milk. Mare’s milk can be fermented into a beverage and is an important drink for the Mongols, helping them maintain health and stamina during prolonged battles.
While stallions were primarily used as warhorses, mares could also serve as a food source. In addition to mare’s milk, horse meat could be used as food, and horse meat was one of the main food sources for the Mongols, addressing food needs during campaigns and battles.
Horses were not only used as riding tools but were also very important strategic materials.
Reason Three: Mares Ensure the Continuity of the Horse Herd
The average lifespan of a horse is between 30 to 35 years. The best service period is from 3 to 15 years. Thus, horses become middle-aged and old after about 15 years. During the Mongolian army’s western expeditions, most of their horses were old, had died in battle, or were injured, facing significant losses.
The gestation period for a mare is about 10 to 11 months. The Mongols embarked on campaigns and brought their families along for many years. Accordingly, they also had to bring enough mares to ensure the population of their horse herd and to have replacements for those that had aged or died in battle.
Reason Four: Horses Possess Numerous “Treasures”
If a Mongolian horse dies, its hide can be used to make reins, armor, leather boots, and more. The tail and mane can be used to make ropes. Additionally, in vast grasslands where there are no forests, horse manure can be used as fuel for heating and cooking.
The Mongols had to ensure the population of their horse herd and had new horses to replace those that had aged or died in battle.
Historically, the Mongols were masters of using horses in warfare. They employed various tactics, notably mounted archery. This allowed them to eliminate large numbers of enemies from a distance before heavy cavalry charged in. The combination of these tactics made the ancient Mongolian army nearly invincible, even when facing heavy European cavalry.
Horses played an extremely important role in the life and warfare of the ancient Mongols. From ensuring marching speed, providing food and nutrition, to guaranteeing continuous replacements for their horse herd, Mongolian horses have proven their superiority in the history of warfare.
