Some 25 Przewalski's horses have been shedding some weight in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region under a special fitness program launched by the Xinjiang Wild Horse Breeding and Research Center which aims to boost the horses' health.

The group of Przewalski's horses, the only type of wild horse left in the world, has been given the opportunity to stretch their legs and run free in a special 200-hectare "gym" set up by the Xinjiang breeding center.

Due to the previously limited amount of outdoor space, the horses have gained some weight, witnessing a drop in their pregnancy rate. While fights between different groups, and the onset of infectious diseases and parasites have also brought down their immunity level.

These factors prompted the Xinjiang center to take action back in April - with the horses undergoing a course of "slimming training". Breeders say they can follow the lead horse, run, play, eat and rest.

"The horses can freely get food in the field. It's dry here this year, but the green grass in the "gym" is enough for the 25 horses," said Wang Zhenbiao, deputy chief of the breeding and research center's Business Section.

After one and a half months' training, the horses have shown clear improvement, losing weight, gaining more muscle and appearing full of vigor.

"We will also put other captive breeding horses into this semi-free range in turns. They can do more exercise, eat fewer fat and gain more muscle there," said Wang.

There are now a little over 2,000 Przewalski's horses left around the globe. The total number in Xinjiang is around 430, with a current captive population of 91. Breeders will look to re-release the horses back into the wild after a comprehensive program of boosting the horses' survival skills and ability to cope with their natural environment.

Three foals were born in May, indicating towards a steady recovery of the species that once went extinct in China, and the center's plans to regroup the current five breeding herds to ensure the health of new-born horses.

(Cover image via VCG)

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