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"Blood-sweating horses"

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annis
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"Blood-sweating horses"

Post by annis » Fri August 21st, 2009, 10:43 am

I'd never come across these before, but strangely, recently read three novels in a row which mentioned them! They were known in China as Heavenly or Celestial Horses and greatly prized, and a Chinese Emperor went to war to maintain access to them- they apparently came from the Fergana Valley in central Asia. They are described as having a metallic coat and I was wondering if they might be related to the Akhai-Teke horse.
Does anyone know?

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parthianbow
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Not an answer, but...

Post by parthianbow » Fri August 21st, 2009, 2:38 pm

Hi Annis

It wouldn't surprise me if they were one and the same thing.

I've been to Turkmenistan, where the Akhal-Teke horses are from, and I've also been to Kyrgyzstan, where the Ferghana valley is situated.

Unfortunately, I was unable to visit the Ferghana valley while in Kyrgyzstan, but I did travel to the east of Bishkek, the capital, ending up in a town called Karakol. There I had the mindblowing privilege of seeing a horse market, and travelling up into the mountains on horseback, where I met nomads who lived in yurts. They had herds of horses, hundreds of them, and lived on a diet of kumis (pron. 'coo-mees' - it's fermented horse milk) which is the most vile food I have ever had the pleasure (!) of tasting. :eek: :eek: :eek: Incredible to see people living the same way they have for centuries. (According to the locals, Genghis Khan came through the valley I was in on his way west.)

Anyway, the reason for my post is that I thought that the nomads I met would know the answer to your question. Not that I can ask them! :o
Ben Kane
Bestselling author of Roman military fiction.
Spartacus - UK release 19 Jan. 2012. US release June 2012.

http://www.benkane.net
Twitter: @benkaneauthor

annis
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Joined: August 2008

Post by annis » Sat August 22nd, 2009, 1:37 am

thanks anyway, Ben :) Your travels among the nomads sound amazing- I'm jealous!

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