Miyako Pony
Encyclopedia
The is a rare breed of pony originating from Miyako Island, in Japan
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The Miyako is one of eight breeds considered native to Japan. Miyako Island in Okinawa Prefecture
has been known as a horse breeding area for centuries, and small horses have always been found in this area. During and after World War II
they were crossed with larger stallions to increased their size to around 14 hands high for farming purposes. They are mostly used as riding ponies and for light draft work.
Around 1955, population of the breed peaked at around 10,000 head, but with the increase of motorization they began to decline. Since 1975 great efforts have been made to preserve the remaining few Miyako ponies, as the breed is of great antiquity. At one point, only seven head were living as of 1983, the population grew to 25 horses by 1993, but had dropped back to 19 by 2001. The breed is protected by the Japanese government with its status listed as "Critical-Maintained."
Miyako ponies are mostly bay or dun in colour and resemble the Mongolian horse.
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
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The Miyako is one of eight breeds considered native to Japan. Miyako Island in Okinawa Prefecture
Okinawa Prefecture
is one of Japan's southern prefectures. It consists of hundreds of the Ryukyu Islands in a chain over long, which extends southwest from Kyūshū to Taiwan. Okinawa's capital, Naha, is located in the southern part of Okinawa Island...
has been known as a horse breeding area for centuries, and small horses have always been found in this area. During and after World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
they were crossed with larger stallions to increased their size to around 14 hands high for farming purposes. They are mostly used as riding ponies and for light draft work.
Around 1955, population of the breed peaked at around 10,000 head, but with the increase of motorization they began to decline. Since 1975 great efforts have been made to preserve the remaining few Miyako ponies, as the breed is of great antiquity. At one point, only seven head were living as of 1983, the population grew to 25 horses by 1993, but had dropped back to 19 by 2001. The breed is protected by the Japanese government with its status listed as "Critical-Maintained."
Miyako ponies are mostly bay or dun in colour and resemble the Mongolian horse.
See also
- List of horse breeds
- MisakiMisakiThe is a breed of pony that is native to Japan. Like other native horses of Japan, it is believed to have developed from horses brought to Japan from China, with the earliest imports dating back at least 2,000 years....
- Noma ponyNoma ponyThe is a pony breed originating in Imabari, Ehime Prefecture, Japan. They originated in the 17th century from Mongolian stock, and are the smallest native ponies from that country, standing about up to 10.1 to 10.3 hh. The ponies are used for draft and riding...
- Hokkaido PonyHokkaido PonyThe Hokkaido pony, generally called Do-san-ko as a term of endearment, is an old but rare breed of pony native to Japan.-History:The Hokkaido pony is thought to have been brought to Hokkaidō from Honshū by fishermen during the Edo period...
- Yonaguni (horse)Yonaguni (horse)The Yonaguni or is a breed of horse native to the southwest islands of Japan, specifically Yonaguni Island. It is a small breed of pony height, typically 11 hands . It is also very rare, with fewer than 200 individuals known to live in Japan...