For Xirzat Nurmu, a horse trainer in Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, horses are more than animals. They are brothers. Though they cannot speak, he believes they understand his moods, and when he feels low, they lean against him quietly as if offering comfort.
Across Xinjiang's vast grasslands and high plateaus, horses have long been steadfast companions. For centuries, they have carried herders through harsh winters and over steep mountain passes, following the seasons from snowbound highlands to summer pastures.
Today, as China modernizes, that partnership is evolving. Riders are entering new arenas such as equestrian sports, tourism and cultural performances, reshaping their own destinies.
Dream on horseback
At 31, Xirzat leads a team of horses at an equestrian tourism company in Urumqi, the regional capital. During performances, he soars on a galloping Akhal-Teke horse, robes flying, drawing gasps and applause from the crowd.
Born in Zhaosu county, he grew up surrounded by grasslands. His family did not own horses at first, but at age 7 he climbed onto a neighbor's horse and discovered what he calls a lifelong passion.
"I fell in love the first time, even forgetting to do my homework," he recalls. "I kept asking the neighbor to take me riding. Later, I just rode by myself."
After repeated pleas, his parents bought him a horse, which later had a foal. When the foal matured three years later, he finally rode his own mount. Xirzat competed in local prairie races, expecting to spend his life on the grasslands.
That changed in 2015 when a friend told Xirzat about equestrian performance opportunities in Urumqi. Against his parents' wishes, he boarded a long-distance bus and traveled for a full day and night to the city.
At first, the famous breeds, including Arabian and Akhal-Teke horses, felt different from the hardy prairie mounts he knew. He started from the bottom, grooming horses and hauling feed, learning standardized riding techniques through falls and repetition.
Over a decade, he became a professional trainer. In peak season, he earns more than 10,000 yuan ($1,460) a month and mentors more than 20 young riders.
Thanks to China's growing enthusiasm for equestrian culture and sports, in recent years the company has hired more than 800 employees from Han, Kazakh, Kyrgyz and Uygur ethnic groups, expanding employment in horse-related industries.
Xirzat has since married in the city. His 6-year-old daughter, Shakla, runs to the stables after kindergarten and climbs onto a horse. Her bright eyes recall her father's childhood, and she even joins him in performances.
"Riding brings you close to nature and strengthens both body and mind. People who ride are not afraid of hardship," he says. "Xinjiang's horse culture is growing stronger, and we have more opportunities than before."
