Yili history

The Yili horse originated in the Yili-Kazakh Autonomous District, Xinjiang Uygur region of China. In China the breed is classified as a "developed breed" and is considered a new breed. The breed was resulted from the crossbreeding of Russian stock with native horses of the region.

Since the turn of the century, Russian immigrants to Kazakh endeavored to improve the local stock with Russian stallions. In 1936, the local government decided to import Don, Orlov Trotter and Anglo-Don horse to cross with the local breeds. However, the crosses did not result in quality animals through the second generation.

In 1963 a draft-riding type was finally determined to be the goal for the new breed. Interbreeding the horses with the desired type has established the breed and the population has increased. The Yili has great endurance and can travel long distances at a good rate of speed.