The Nangchen horse is a small breed of horse native to the
Kham region of northern
Tibet, thought to have been bred pure since the 9th century.[1] They became known to the western world in 1994 due to the exploration of French anthropologist
Michel Peissel.[2]
These animals are said to contain no ancestry from any of the common sources for most other
Tibetan pony breeds, neither
Mongolian horse,
Arabian nor any type of
Turkish blood. They are powerful and fast, said to have many of the characteristics of a modern racehorse.[3] They have refined features, are
pony-sized, but tall for ponies, swift and agile.[4] Their unique characteristics include adaptations to the very high altitude of the region,[1] including enlarged lungs.[4]
In 1995, Peissel returned to Tibet in hopes of purchasing some individual animals to study in more detail, but they were unable to do so due to the high prices asked for the animals by local residents. On their way back, Peissel's expedition took an alternate route through a remote area and observed the
Riwoche horse.[3]