The Mongols, especially during the 13th-century Mongol Empire under Genghis Khan, were nomadic people living on the vast steppes of Central Asia. There were no cities, no roads, only endless grasslands with blue skies and herds of horses roaming freely.
For the Mongolians, horses are not just a means of transportation; they are essential for everything from warfare and hunting to livestock farming, marriage, and social interaction. A Mongolian without a horse is like someone without a phone today – almost impossible to live with. An average Mongolian family might own dozens, even hundreds, of horses. Horses are assets, pride, and symbols of freedom and strength. But horses are not only important in practical terms. In Mongolian belief, everything in nature—mountains, rivers, animals—has a soul.
Horses, with their speed, strength, and loyalty, are seen as a bridge between humans and the spiritual world. They believe that the spirits of ancestors can reside within horses, and that horses can guide warriors in battle or lead human souls from the dead to heaven. Therefore, horses are not just ordinary animals but are sacred. Eating horse meat is considered almost an insult to gods or ancestors in the eyes of the Mongols. Mongolian horses are not as large as European warhorses; they are smaller and shorter but extremely resilient. This explains why many people wonder why the Vietnamese cavalry uses Mongolian horses.
Mongolian horses could run tens of kilometers a day, surviving the harsh conditions of the steppe, from temperatures as low as -40°C to scorching sun. They ate grass, drank little water, and could forage for food even in thick snow. Each Mongolian warrior would bring three to five horses on a campaign, constantly changing horses to maintain speed. This allowed them to move like lightning, covering 100 to 150 kilometers a day – a speed that European armies of the time could only dream of. Horses were living war machines, and eating them would reduce the number of this precious weapon.
The Mongols literally grew up on horseback. Children as young as three or four years old were taught to ride horses, shoot arrows, and control horses as if they were part of their bodies. Mongol warriors could shoot arrows accurately while galloping, even shooting backwards—a technique the Mongols were always very proficient at. They also invented stirrups to help warriors stand firmly on horseback, using their body strength to shoot arrows or thrust spears.
While European knights, clad in heavy armor, moved slowly, the Mongol warriors were swift and agile, winning every battle. Horses were so precious that they wouldn't eat them, except in desperate situations. Horses also enabled the Mongol army to devise formidable tactics. They employed a hit-and-run strategy: charging forward on horseback to fire arrows, then quickly retreating before the enemy could counterattack. They also feigned retreats to lure the enemy into traps. A prime example is the Battle of Mohi in 1241, where the Mongol army annihilated the Hungarians thanks to the mobility of their horses.
Horses also provided logistical support. A Mongolian warrior could survive for weeks on horseback alone. They would drink mare's milk and, in emergencies, a few drops of horse blood to sustain themselves. But eating horse meat? That was rare. Killing a horse meant losing a war machine and a companion. Although Mongolians traditionally did not eat horse meat, there were rare exceptions. During wartime famines, when there were no other options, Mongolians might eat horse meat to survive.
However, they often chose weak, old, or no longer working horses. And this had to be done with regret. Some historical documents even recount that during distant campaigns, the Mongol army sometimes slaughtered horses for food, but only in utter desperation, and they would often perform rituals to apologize to the horse's spirit. Horses were considered comrades, not just tools. Before battle, the Mongols performed rituals to ask the horse's spirit for blessings. Some sacrificed horses to thank the gods after victory, but this was rare because horses were so precious.
The horses of great leaders like Genghis Khan were considered sacred, and when they died, they were buried with extremely solemn ceremonies. Eating horse meat, especially warhorse meat, was considered disrespectful not only to the animal but also to ancestors and gods. Therefore, on the steppe, horses were the most valuable asset. A good horse could be worth as much as an entire flock of sheep or cattle. Horses were not only used for transportation but also as tools for herding, hunting, and fighting. Killing horses for meat was a terrible waste because a living horse provides far greater value than its meat. And that was a very practical value.
If they don't eat horse meat, what do the Mongols eat?
Mongolians have other abundant food sources such as sheep, goats, cattle, and milk from these animals. In modern times, they also eat pork. Lamb and beef are staple foods, while horses are kept for work and warfare. Mongolians have always viewed horses as companions, as close as family members. A warrior might spend their entire life alongside their horse, fighting battles, crossing steppes, and surviving harsh conditions together. Horses are given names, carefully cared for, and sometimes decorated with beautiful bridle or their tails tied in bows during festivals. For Mongolians, eating horse meat is like eating a friend.
Therefore, when horses get old or die, the Mongols will release them or bury them with extreme care instead of slaughtering them for meat. This shows deep respect for the animal that has accompanied them. Speaking of the Mongols' love for horses, they even have an Olympic Games for horses. Of course, "Olympics" is in quotation marks. This festival is called the Nadam Festival. It is dedicated to honoring the steppe, celebrating human strength, and the love for horses. This festival has a long history, spanning hundreds of years and linked to the era of Genghis Khan.
It is said that from the 13th century, when the Mongols expanded across Eurasia, Genghis Khan's army regularly held wrestling, archery, and horse racing competitions to train its soldiers. Later, Nadam became one of the largest cultural festivals, both to celebrate the glorious past and to unite the nomadic communities located on different steppes.
Today, the Nadam festival is officially held in July every year, coinciding with Mongolia's National Day. The entire country celebrates as if it were New Year's Day. People wear traditional clothing, drink mare's milk, and flock to the capital Ulaanbaatar or the vast steppes to participate. But in the heart of every Mongolian, the biggest highlight remains horse racing. In other countries, horse racing is usually an aristocratic sport on short tracks with riders in elegant robes. But in Mongolia, horse racing is completely different. It's not just a competition, but a journey through the wild, lasting from 15 to 30 kilometers depending on the age of the horse, and even up to 40 kilometers for mature horses.
The race track isn't marked with white lines, but rather endless trails stretching across the steppe, through grassy hills, streams, and even clouds of dust as hundreds of horses gallop. What's even more remarkable is that the riders aren't adult horsemen, but children. The children's lighter weight makes them easier to handle and allows the horses to run faster. The Mongolians often say children learn to ride before they learn to walk, and this festival is a vivid example of that saying. When the race ends, the winning horse is not only considered the fastest but also hailed as a hero of the steppe.
The horse's owner leads it around the crowd amidst cheers and applause. Then, a special ritual is performed: mare's milk is sprinkled on the horse's head. For the Mongolians, mare's milk is pure, symbolizing life, abundance, and divine blessings. When the milk flows onto the horse's head, it's not only a wish for good luck for the owner but also a way to honor the animal that brought glory to the community. Remarkably, even losing horses are treated with love. They are not scolded or abandoned; instead, they are comforted and sung to. There are even folk songs dedicated to defeated horses to console them. This once again demonstrates the unconditional love that Mongolians have for horses.
Animals have been their companions throughout thousands of years of history. During the Nadam festival, not only horses but also the children who ride them to victory are honored as heroes. Even at the young age of 7 or 8, these young riders become the pride of their entire clan. Some, after winning, are even recorded in local history books, considered to have been born heroes. Mongolians believe that such children will grow up to be strong, courageous, and become pillars of their tribe. Compared to the modern world, Nadam is the Olympics of the steppe. But perhaps it is more than that, because in each race there is not only sweat and speed, but also the soul of the Mongolian people.
Thus, horses are not just a means of transportation, an asset, or a companion, but the soul of the Mongol people. Horses helped them conquer the world, bred them on the steppes, and connected them to the gods. The tradition of not eating horse meat stems from the worship of the gods, from the practical value and deep affection for this four-legged friend.