There are more than 300 recognized types of horses in the world and of these most are the result of natural evolution in particular locations and these horses are known as native horses. Native horses.They tend to be rough in nature and resistant to harsh conditions and handling. They are the horses most often associated with nomadic tribes and horse-culture based populations.Examples are the Mongolian ponies and North American mustangs, rough horses requiring rough hands and resistant to harsh climates and conditions. Over the centuries, however man has created new breeds of horses with pronounced capabilities to suite particular needs.These developed breeds are the result of cross-breeding between native types and then the careful selection generation after generation to mating, over generations, of those horses with the desired characteristics, such that those characteristics (e.g. of resistance or of strength or of speed) become more developed and pronounced. To give one local example, the YiLi horse is quite popular; resulting from efforts from the 1930s to 70’s to cross the Russian Olav and Don horse types with native horses from Yili-Kazakh Autonomous District in the Xinjiang Uygur region; The result is a breed suitable for drafting (cattle herding) and covering long distances at a good speed.

Globally, the best known line of developed breeds are the thorough-bred, or ‘pure blood’ horses, which have been selectively bred for speed and agility since 1690. The official British stud book records the blood lines of all registered thorough-bred horses, such that each registered horse can trace back it’s ancestry to one of 3 original stallions imported by aristocrats into England around 1700. International quality polo horses and racehorses are thorough-bred horses. A successful racehorses are those with the highest speed over a given distance, running on a set course with other horses; a successful Polo horses is one with high agility (the ability to stop, turn and accelerate quickly) and the mental temperament to work with the rider in the midst of horses coming from and moving in a variety of directions in a large open space (the field). A thorough-bred horse for racing will often be raced as a two-year-old whereas a thorough-bred horse for polo will not even start training until its bones are more fully matured at 3 years old. The training of a polo horse will then typically take two to three years, as most of its learning is mental i.e. how to react and behave on the field, in the midst of the bumping from the other horses, the twirling and clashing polo mallets and the path of the ball. A racehorse will be at its peak between 3 and 6 years old whereas a polo horse will be at its peak between 6 and 10. Unlike race horses, polo horses can continue playing until 17-19 years old, as experience and mental preparation are often more important than simple physical performance.

The Nine Dragons Hill Polo Clubis unique in China in that the majority of horses are thorough-bred, imported from Australia and elsewhere. These horses have been selected and trained by Meadow Brook PL from Australia. The result of breeding for performance and mentality and 3 years of training is that the horses are well disciplined and calm. Whilst they are capable of great agility and speed they can also be stopped and turned easily, with one hand (or even one finger and thumb!). These characteristics are an essential aid for both a beginner rider as well as skilled and experienced riders who are intent on improving their game. The better selected and trained the horse is the more enjoyable and the safer the experience for the rider. The Nine Dragons Hill Polo Club provides horses for a range of equestrian activities, including riding school, trail riding, cross-country eventing and polo. In addition the Club provides instruction for dressage and show jumping while for those who prefer horses in harness, the Club has special horses bred and trained for pulling carriages including a Percheron (a breed of large horses from northern France).