As Shuowen Jiezi states, "Li refers to a horse of deep black color." Pure black without mixed colors defines a…
As Shuowen Jiezi states, "Li refers to a horse of deep black color." Pure black without mixed colors defines a Li steed. In ancient lore, the black dragon is also called "Li," so the Li horse is seen as its earthly form. Among the Khitan's Iron Hooves, such steeds are held in the highest esteem.
The History of Liao records, "In old Khitan custom, wealth lay in horses, and strength in arms. Horses roamed the wilds; soldiers worked in the mass. When war arose, armored riders and soldiers gathered at dawn by royal command. Horses were raised by nature; people relied on dairy. They hunted live prey to meet daily needs. Travel, supplies, and fodder all followed this way and were drawn from local resources. Victory came from it, unstoppable in battle." As nomads, the Khitan raise horses along rivers and pastures. With the founding of the Liao Dynasty, they established a dedicated Horse Herd Office under the Six Bureaus to manage the imperial herds of Zhangmin Palace. Khitan warhorses are famed for endurance, strength, and composure, earning the title "Khitan Iron Hooves."
Khitan Iron Hooves are compact in build, with short, sturdy limbs and small, round hooves that rarely crack. Nimble-footed, they move easily even across rugged terrain. Calm in nature, tolerant of rough feed, quick to gain weight, long-lived, and capable of carrying both riders and loads, they are the most common horse in the Liao dynasty.