ULAN BATOR, July 13 (Xinhua) -- Mongolia has celebrated World Horse Day, recognizing the vital role horses play in communities, cultures and livelihoods around the world while honoring the enduring bond between horses and people.
Observed annually on July 11, World Horse Day was established following a resolution adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in June 2025 at Mongolia's initiative. The designation reflects the country's deep-rooted equestrian traditions, where horses remain an integral part of daily life, cultural heritage and national identity.
The World Horse Day celebrations were held as part of Mongolia's annual Naadam Festival. The official opening ceremony took place on Monday at Khui Doloon Khudag, the festival's main venue on the outskirts of Ulan Bator.
In his opening remarks, Mongolian President Ukhnaa Khurelsukh emphasized the inseparable relationship between the Mongolian people and horses.
"It is impossible to imagine the Mongolian people or Mongolia's history without horses. The horse is our pride," said Khurelsukh. "That is why we initiated World Horse Day to preserve, protect, study, promote, and pass on the horse-related heritage and traditions that have played an exceptional role in the livelihoods, civilization, and development of humanity."
To mark the occasion, a wide range of equestrian cultural and sporting events were held at Khui Doloon Khudag. Highlights included a grand parade featuring approximately 12,600 horse riders from Mongolia and abroad, an international horse racing competition, exhibitions on equestrian culture and Mongolian horse culture, horseback archery contests, an airag (fermented mare's milk) festival, and traditional demonstrations of horsemanship, including lassoing and horse circus performances.
Home to a population of around 3.5 million, Mongolia had 58.1 million head of livestock at the end of 2025, according to the National Statistics Office. Horses accounted for 8.8 percent of the country's total livestock population, underscoring their enduring economic, cultural and historical importance.
According to the country's presidential press office, Mongolia ranks first in the world in the number of horses per capita. ■