Grassland culture, ethnic groups on horseback and equestrian.

Grassland culture, ethnic groups on horseback and equestrian.

On the vast grassland, Mongolians are famous for riding and shooting. According to historical records, "they ride without saddles, and they are especially good at shooting with big bows and long arrows." The History of the Yuan Dynasty also records: "When the Yuan Dynasty set out from the north, people were good at riding and shooting without shooting." Compared with the quiet and comfortable pastoral life of agricultural people, grassland herders who live a traditional life of "felt skirt" have more strength and vitality.

Equestrian is a unique equestrian performance in Inner Mongolia grassland area. "Inner Mongolia Minutes" said: "Equestrian, the upper body is vertical, and the knees are slightly bent backward. No matter what kind of exercise, only the upper body moved slightly, and the position of * * * remained completely unchanged. If you ride a horse, you will stand straight on the saddle, under the waist and on the saddle, and there will be no fatigue in the end. " Grassland herders have formed an indissoluble bond with horses since childhood and can carry out various activities on horseback. From the Qing Dynasty to the Qing Dynasty, the northern ethnic groups carried out equestrian competitions extensively, forming a magnificent sports * * *, and the competition forms in different places were also different. There are many performances, including single horse, single horse and double horse, single horse and double horse, multi-person and multi-horse. , including throwing once, crossing immediately, standing upright hand in hand, hiding sideways, standing on one leg, horse neck handstand, galloping and prancing. The performers are swinging and flying, which is amazing. Mongolian women's riding skills are also superb. "Sui Ji Meng Yao" says: "Women, like men, take riding as their occupation, and their skills are not inferior to those of men ..." Their flexible posture and agile movements are amazing.

"Banquet for Clearing Money in Mongolia" published the scene that Emperor Qing Qianlong went to Mulan to watch Mongolian equestrian performances in autumn and August:

A cheater, pick a child over six or seven years old, put on a brocade robe, make his tail soar, make his hair loose, make no saddle hair, chase the wind and electricity, gallop freely, and win the prize for the first place without building a tree for miles ...? Tame a famous horse. Fanda? Production, joining the group for the first time, not controlled by shackles, Prince Brother is a fan. He needs to hold a long pole, carry colored paint, or jump and climb, or overtake, to control the sound. Diseases, like wind and rain, will surely tame the horse and then run away. The more people control them, the braver and braver they are, which is quite spectacular.

The so-called "cheating on horses" here refers to horse racing. Zhao Yi's "Miscellaneous Stories Exposed on the eaves, Mongolian Circus Cheating" refers to trapping horses:

Cheating horses and their skills. Its method is to drive away Ikoma's unruly swift horse, let the good rider hold a long pole, and the pole head has a rope around it, highlighting the pony team, and the pony is surprised. The pole holder has tied the pony's head with a rope, and the horse has sacrificed himself to cross the pony's back. The pony is willing to accept and jump to make people stand up, but the rider's husband can't stand up for a moment.

The thrilling scene of harness is described here. After the horse is trapped, the shepherd needs to hold on to the harness rod tightly, otherwise he will break free and even fall off the shepherd. The shepherd harnessed the horse and saddled it for riding. Horses are still not tamed-they lift their hooves, rub their feet and get under the stomachs of other horses. The rider should clamp the crotch and whip the horse's buttocks with all his strength until the horse is stuck. His skills are superb.

Mongolian people living in grassland areas like horse racing best, which is one of the "three wonders of men". There are two kinds of horse racing: fast horse racing and horse racing.

Fast Marseille

Fast Marseille is mainly faster than horses, generally a straight race, and the race duration is generally 20, 30 and 40 kilometers. The winner is the first person to reach the finish line. Volkswagen horse racing only needs to choose flat grasslands. Horse racing in Qixian County is generally not grouped because it is not limited by the venue, and dozens of riders start at the same time. Some counties are also grouped, usually with five to seven horses as a group. Generally, horse racing does not have saddles, but only a few do. Generally speaking, children will take part in the competition. According to Suiyuan Survey, "... strong riders are all over fifteen and under twenty ..."

Go to Marseille

Walking in Marseille is mainly due to the steady and light steps of horses. Riding a horse is different from horse racing. Horse racing is a gallop, and the horse's front and rear hooves move forward at the same time. Riding a horse is walking, and the horse's front and rear hooves alternate. Never run away. "Inner Mongolia Minutes" said: "However, when Aobao (Aobao) worships the sun, it is necessary to choose good horses from the horses and ride them. It is called "Walking Horse", which is controlled by skilled riders and walks in competition to win the reputation of princes. " The riders walking in Marseille are generally adults, and they are particularly particular about "pressing horses". There is generally no limit to the number of horse races.

Before the horse race, the shepherd should train the horses and have skilled riding skills. Ancient Mongols used horses slowly and galloped to hunt horses, and accumulated rich experience in raising horses. His method of raising horses is "controlling horses", which is recorded in detail in "Customs Records":

Every horse is fat when it is crisp in autumn, so it is not right to give up and not die. Therefore, a good man should control his horse and walk twenty or thirty miles every day. Once he sweats slightly, he will lick his front foot to prevent him from jumping around, urge him to resist and prevent him from drinking water and biting grass. Control it until late every afternoon, or control it until dawn in the pasture, and then the next day. On the third or fifth day, or on the eighth or ninth day, the horse's fat condenses on the spine, the abdomen is small and firm, the buttocks are big and firm, and the grass is empty and fat. Up to now, it is solid, condensed into an organic whole, that is, running hard without breathing, that is, after seven or eight days of fighting, there is no shortage of water and grass, and inexhaustible strength. ...

The so-called horse control is to control the diet and water, let the horse go properly, remove the fat, and make the horse slim and have ears like bamboo.

Horse racing is usually held, and what is more grand is a grand festival. The singers sang the traditional "Champion Mazen":

It is the champion's horse,

Vilen's deer jumped out.

If an arrow comes, it's a meteor,

It was a wild horse when it caught up with the cattle. ...

"The wind is light into the hoof, and there is no room in the direction." Only heard the sound of hooves, I saw smoke rolling, and the riders flew into the distant sky like lightning. At this time, spectators gathered, eyes fascinated, laughter, * * * constantly, galloping horses in the distant sky, galloping horses in herdsman's heart.