Any info on old(?) terra cotta Chinese looking horse?

I found this today at a thrift store. It was interesting to me in a few ways:
The size (and girth - it has a Bottero-esque shape to me!) & the black & red colors - and the bottom (especially the feet which are rounded) which have no openings like I usually see?
And - there is a hole in the back where you'd assume a tail went, except it has a stubby tail - what was the hole for (photos 7 & 8)?

PS - The first 2 photos were taken in the shade & the rest in direct sunshine.

It measures 14"W x 15"H x 7"D

Is this old? Is it anything special or just decorative?
What should I call it; antique? mid century? oriental style?

Thank you for any help with it - I don't know if I hit a home run or just found another factory piece!

 

It looks like decorator art to me. The hole is the firing hole, there to vent hot air from inside the piece and keep it from exploding in the kiln. I have no idea where it's supposed to be from, and it's possible the makers didn't either.

 

I don't see any "terra cotta" (which is normally orange and not dark red.)

 

Where the piece is missing off the top of rear end & you can see what it's made of - I first thought terra cotta but maybe just clay?
The red & black I'm assuming is paint or a pigment spread on it to give it color?