New equine way of life

Authorities hope horses will help boost earnings of locals

Grazing is a way of life for farmers and herders in Horqin Right Wing Middle Banner, Hinggan League in the Inner Mongolia autonomous region. However, high costs and a lack of grass and soil have made earning a decent income a struggle for farmers. Many leave the village for work in the city. To help improve job prospects and earnings in the banner, the local government has supported the development of various industries, especially those related to horses. One major enterprise the government cooperates with is racehorse breeding company Rider Horse.

Bai Xialong is a jockey and keeper at Rider Horse. He was trained to ride horses in his childhood. Bai is responsible for looking after the company's stables and is also in charge of training the racehorses. As a horse jockey, Bai's annual income is more than 100,000 yuan ($14,127). That money has enabled him to buy a big, comfortable house.