Tang Dynasty
Ink and color on silk
26.7*302.1cm

This is a long handscroll with 95 horses and 41 grooms, consisting of three sections describing the care of war horses in an army barracks. The first section on the right is set against a river, with grooms brushing the horses in the river. The second section is set on a level ground, showing the horses in various poses of rest or motion. The third section on the left shows the "packaging" of the horses: they are saddled, harnessed and their fodder is being prepared; some are being put through their paces with ropes tied to their hooves, with supervisors riding around with an aide to inspect the work. The hundred or so horses are evenly distributed across the picture surface, displaying a variety of poses, each enjoying unobstructed exposure. It is as instructive as a horse breeding encyclopedia.