The Shuowen Jiezi explains: "The character bo means a horse of impure color." Among the famed Khitan Iron Hoov…
The Shuowen Jiezi explains: "The character bo means a horse of impure color." Among the famed Khitan Iron Hooves, those with such a mixed, dark coat were known as Wubo.
According to the History of Liao: "In old Khitan custom, wealth lay in horses and strength in arms." As nomads, the Khitan roamed with their herds, raising horses along rivers and pastures. When war came, armored cavalry would assemble at dawn at the emperor's command. Their horses, raised on wild pastures and sustained by nature, were famed for endurance, strength, and composure, earning them the name "Khitan Iron Hooves." With the founding of the Liao Dynasty, a dedicated Horse Herd Office was established to manage the imperial herds.
The Khitan Iron Hoof is compact, with short, sturdy limbs and small, round hooves that rarely crack. Nimble and sure-footed, it navigates rugged mountain terrain as if it were level ground. Calm in nature, tolerant of rough feed, and long-lived, this versatile horse could carry both rider and load, making it the most common and essential steed of the Liao Dynasty.