Hokkaido Pony

Infobox Horse
name= Hokkaido Pony


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country=Japan
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The Hokkaido pony, generally called Do-san-ko as a term of endearment, is an old but rare breed of pony native to Japan. [The eight native Japanese horse breeds are the Hokkaido Pony, Kiso, Misaki, Miyako Pony, Noma pony, Toakara, Tsushima, and Yonaguni]

History

The Hokkaido pony is thought to have been brought during the Edo period (1600-1867) to Hokkaidō by fishermen. These original importation came from Honshū. The fishermen came to Hokkaido in search of herring and the ponies were used for transportation, but the ponies were left in Hokkaido when the fishermen returned home in autumn. The ponies were expected to survive without assistance in a land which is virtually nothing but snow throughout the winter with the exception of bamboo grass found in the mountains. The fishermen would return next spring with new ponies and would also use the surviving ponies. The enduring strength for which the Hokkaido pony now known is thought to have been developed in this way.

The Hokkaido pony is considered a descendant of the Nanbu horse, a breed which is thought to have been bred in Tohoku, the northern region of Honshu. However, the Nanbu breed no longer exists and there is no definitive information on its history. This is because the Nanbu horse was historically renowned as a military horse and was heavily crossbred during the late 19th century to develop a larger breed suitable for modern military. Obviously the horses brought to Hokkaido by fishermen earlier were ones thought to be inferior among the Nanbu breed because the fishermen did not intend to bring the horses back with them in the first place.

Most of this breed is found on the Pacific coast of Hokkaido. They are the most plentiful of the remaining ancient Japanese ponies, numbering at around 2000. Hokkaido ponies are used for heavy transportation in the mountains where trucks and other equipment cannot go. Some ranchers in Hokkaido still winter the horses in the mountains, continuing the breed's survival traits. They feed mainly on bamboo grass and wander around in the mountains in search of it. In spring they returned to the ranches without assistance as during this time the bears awaken from hibernation in the mountains and start to prey on the foals.

Breed Characteristics

As in other Japanese breeds, the Hokkaido pony is found in most solid colors, and many are roan. White markings of any kind are rare and not allowed for registration. They stand between 13 and 13.2 hands high (132 to 137 cm). They are very strong for their size and have a willing temperament. They are also used as pleasure mounts or for transportation.

ee also

*List of horse breeds
*Misaki
*Noma pony
*Yonaguni (horse)

References

[http://www.fao.org/AG/AGAInfo/programmes/en/genetics/documents/Interlaken/countryreports/Japan.pdf "Country Report (For FAO State of the World’s Animal Genetic Resources Process)", Editorial Committee Office of the Japanese Country Report, Animal Genetic Resources Laboratory, National Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, Japan.]