These horses were used as cavalry horses against invaders. During 1904 and 1905 Russian Zabaikal horses were brought through the Baikal and crossed with the local breed. Orlov and Bechuk horses were brought to the area in 1917 by Russian settlers to the area. From 1934 through 1945 a stud farm was established by the Japanese with records of Anglo-Arab, Arab, Thoroughbred, American Trotter and Chitran horses. In 1955 the Ministry of Agriculture of the Peoples Repulic of China began an assessment of the crossbred horses of the area and established two stud farms to develop a new breed under the name Sanhe.
Sanhe horses are compact and muscular.
The Sanhe are usually either chestnut or bay, other colors are rare. The Sanhe is used for racing, saddle and harness work.