The Misaki Horse is a rare breed that is native to Japan where it is considered a national treasure.
If you are curious about these equines, read on to learn everything you need to know!
Misaki Horse Breed Info
Here are some of the key things you need to know about the Misaki horse:
| Height (size) | 11.0 – 13.3 hands high |
| Colors | Black, bay and sometimes chestnut; white markings are rare |
| Country of Origin | Japan |
| Common Uses | Tourist attraction |
Misaki Horse Facts & Information (Breed Profile)
The Misaki Pony is native to the Miyazaki Province of Japan, specifically the Cape Toi meadow, where they may still be seen living in the wild.
It is believed that all Japanese pony breeds originally came from China around 2,000 years ago.
Different varieties have developed in the Japanese islands since their arrival due to differences in climate and human demands.
The breed’s ancestry is unknown for certain, although it is thought to have originated from a wide variety of stock brought over from different areas of Asia.
At the very least, these imports go from as far back as the 6th century.
Misakis have been employed for simple agricultural tasks and as pack horses for hundreds of years.
The Akizuki family of the Takanabe Clan collected up several wild horses and established a breeding stock pool in 1697, which is also when the breed is first mentioned in the historical records.
In order to breed horses for agricultural and military use, the Cape Toi ranch was founded in the same year.
By the end of the 19th century, the ranch had been nationalized and sold to a local union as a common ranch.
Having been isolated from human intervention for so long, these animals have retained many of the same physical traits from their Mongolian ancestors.
As was the case with other Japanese breeds, their population was almost wiped out during the second World War; nevertheless, there is now a healthy herd that has been declared a National Monument of Japan owing to the historic bloodlines that they possess.
In 1953, Japan declared the Misaki to be a Japanese National Natural Treasure.
2003 research on the genetics of Japanese and Mongolian horse breeds revealed that the Misaki breed is most closely related to the Noma, Tokara, and Yonaguni breeds.
Misaki horses are now found in wild herds in a protected region of Cape Toi, drawing in a large number of curious tourists every year.
Today the breed is considered critically endangered.
If you’re interested in learning more about this fascinating breed, keep reading!
Alternative Names
n/a
Temperament/Personality
Good-natured
Physical Characteristics
It is typically referred to as a small horse rather than a pony despite being relatively short in height.
Colors
Black, bay and sometimes chestnut; white markings are rare
Height (size)
11.0 – 13.3 hands high
Stallions
n/a
Mares
n/a
Weight
n/a
Blood Type
n/a
Common Uses
Tourist attraction
Health
n/a
Popular Traits
Feral horse
Feeding/Diet
n/a
Country of Origin
Japan
Ancestors
Unknown