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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, Tokara, Tsushima, and
Yonaguni
History
The Hokkaido pony is thought to have been brought to
Hokkaidō from
Honshū by fishermen during the
Edo period (1600–1867). The fishermen came to Hokkaido in search of
herring and the ponies were used for transportation, but were left in Hokkaido when the fishermen returned home in Autumn. The ponies were expected to survive without assistance in a land with very little vegetation and covered with snow throughout the winter, with the exception of
bamboo grass found in the mountains. The fishermen would return in spring with new ponies and would also use the surviving ponies. The enduring strength for which the Hokkaido pony is 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 Honshū. 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...
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