Animal Husbandry And Horse Policy In Yuan Dynasty

Constituted by grassland nomad, Yuan was the first united dynasty with far-flung territory, which ranged from farming region to pasturing region. Animal husbandry and horse policy played a significant role in Yuan, since the original financial support of Yuan relied on animal husbandry and Mongol constituted their regime by the war on horse. The significance of examining animal husbandry and horse policy of Yuan was that it helped us to understand the whole social condition at that time and research the relationship, that is, the contradiction, conflict and amalgamation between fanning culture and pasturing culture. As a result, some historical experience can be summarized and learned from it.This paper, above all, discussed the historical background, general situation, related policies and production of animal husbandry according to two periods- the time of Mongolia kingdom established by Genghis khan and the time of his son's enthronement. In the first period, the producing technology and management of animal husbandry have made some progress, although it was still pertained to extensive raising. In the second period, animal husbandry gradually arrived at its splendent stage, specially at the time of Kubla khan as the king, which could be proved by the integrated laws, the progress of technology, etc. Then, the animal husbandry of Yuan began to go at a low ebb.Secondly, the management institution, pasturing land and post house, which can be used to reflect the outstanding achievement of Yuan's animal husbandry, were further discussed. The institution of horse policy of Yuan had a relatively high position and it was so mature that no any dynasty exceed it. The pasturing land of Yuan, specially the stated pasturing land, took up so large area that Tang, the most developed dynasty of horse policy, could not come up to it. Post house, the important part of horse policy, had a relatively perfect network and integrated management policy.Finally the paper analyzed the reasons of ups and downs of animal husbandry in Yuan and re-commented animal husbandry of Yuan. The positive factors included a series of measurements, the requirements form production and relieving people in disaster, the consumption of livestock product, etc. The negative factors involved natural disasters, queasy political situation, luxury consumption, largess, etc. In conclusion, the result showed that the animal husbandry in Yuan was more progressive than that in other dynasties, specially, animal husbandry with grassland made a large progress, while animal husbandry in farming area made a little progress just in production technology.