Dosanko

Dosanko is a breed of small horse native to Japan.

They are gentle and very hardy.

If you want to learn more about this interesting breed, keep reading!

Dosanko Horse Breed Info

Here are some of the key things you need to know about the Dosanko horse:

Dosanko Facts & Information (Breed Profile)

The Dosanko, also known as the Hokkaido Horse and Hokkaido Pony, is one of Japan’s eight remaining native horse breeds and the only one that is not in danger of extinction.

Dosanko horses are native to the island of Hokkaido in Japan.

They are a beloved breed in Japan and one of the most numerous old Japanese pony breeds mostly found along the eastern coast of the island.

Donsanko evolved over centuries, adapting to harsh winters and tough terrain.

It is believed that Dosanko’s ancestors are the Nanbu horses brought by the fisherman during the Tokugawa era (1603 – 1868) from the Tohoku region of Honshu.

These horses were brought to the island by the fishermen so that they could more easily transport their catch.

At the end of the fishing season, the fishermen left Hokkaido, leaving the horses there to fend for themselves.

Many of these horses would make it through the long winter and be used by the fisherman who returned the following spring.

The breed registry was created in 1979.

If you’re interested in learning more about this fascinating breed, keep reading!

Alternative Names

“Hokkaido Horse”

Temperament/Personality

Gentle and willing

Physical Characteristics

A small horse with a very hardy constitution

Colors

Generally roan, but most solid colors can be seen

Height (size)

13.0 – 13.2 hands high

Stallions

n/a

Mares

n/a

Weight

n/a

Blood Type

n/a

Common Uses

Pleasure mount, farm work, military pack animal, trail riding, as a mean of transport in the mountains where motorized vehicles cannot go

Health

n/a

Popular Traits

Remarkably strong for their size

Feeding/Diet

Bamboo grass in the mountains

Country of Origin

Japan

Ancestors

Nanbu Horse, Mongolian Horse