The role of horses in the Chinese Empire.

So here we have the French franc, nominal – 10. The year of issue of this coin is 1996. Mint: Paris, France. Total circulation – 15.000.

Horses in ancient and Imperial China were an important element of China on cultural, military, and agricultural levels. Horses were introduced from the West, disturbing warfare, and forcing local warring States to adopt new military practices such as chariots and cavalry.

The strategic role of horses in large amounts for military defense against steppes invasions is well documented. The furthest Chinese conquests North and Westward were achieved under Han, Tang, Ming and Qing dynasties thanks to massive and extensive military-managed horses farms, involving hundred thousands horses.

During the Jin dynasty in 266 – 420 records of thousands of "armored horses" illustrate the development of warfare in this period

Horses were highly valued and represented up to the late Qing dynasty. As elsewhere, increased industrialization, the raise of mechanical labor, as well as China's century of humiliation lead to the virtual disappearance of China's horse tradition.