Misaki
Encyclopedia
The is a breed of pony
that is native to Japan
. Like other native horse
s of Japan, it is believed to have developed from horse
s brought to Japan from China
, with the earliest imports dating back at least 2,000 years.
The breed was first identified in the historical record in 1697 when the Akizuki family of the Takanabe Clan rounded up feral horse
s and developed a pool of breeding stock. Today, the Misaki is classified as an endangered but "maintained" breed, with only about 100 living animals. This population has remained relatively stable for the past 20 years, up from a low of 53 individuals recorded in 1973.
The Misaki is one of eight breeds considered native to Japan, and lives as a feral horse
in a natural setting in a designated National Monument on Cape Toi (also known as Toimisaki) that is located within the municipal boundaries of Kushima
at the south end of Miyazaki Prefecture
on the island of Kyūshū
. The Misaki ponies are a popular draw for tourists in the region and were designated a National Natural Treasure following the end of World War II
.
height, and stands between 12.2 and 13.2 hands
high at the withers
. However it has horse
characteristics and proportions. Most individuals are colored bay or black
, with the occasional chestnut
. White markings
are rare.
The breed along with the other eight Japanese native breeds in October 2007 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine by Bow tie press.
Pony
A pony is a small horse . Depending on context, a pony may be a horse that is under an approximate or exact height at the withers, or a small horse with a specific conformation and temperament. There are many different breeds...
that is native to Japan
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...
. Like other native horse
Horse
The horse is one of two extant subspecies of Equus ferus, or the wild horse. It is a single-hooved mammal belonging to the taxonomic family Equidae. The horse has evolved over the past 45 to 55 million years from a small multi-toed creature into the large, single-toed animal of today...
s of Japan, it is believed to have developed from horse
Horse
The horse is one of two extant subspecies of Equus ferus, or the wild horse. It is a single-hooved mammal belonging to the taxonomic family Equidae. The horse has evolved over the past 45 to 55 million years from a small multi-toed creature into the large, single-toed animal of today...
s brought to Japan from China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
, with the earliest imports dating back at least 2,000 years.
The breed was first identified in the historical record in 1697 when the Akizuki family of the Takanabe Clan rounded up feral horse
Feral horse
A feral horse is a free-roaming horse of domesticated ancestry. As such, a feral horse is not a wild animal in the sense of an animal without domesticated ancestors. However, some populations of feral horses are managed as wildlife, and these horses often are popularly called "wild" horses...
s and developed a pool of breeding stock. Today, the Misaki is classified as an endangered but "maintained" breed, with only about 100 living animals. This population has remained relatively stable for the past 20 years, up from a low of 53 individuals recorded in 1973.
The Misaki is one of eight breeds considered native to Japan, and lives as a feral horse
Feral horse
A feral horse is a free-roaming horse of domesticated ancestry. As such, a feral horse is not a wild animal in the sense of an animal without domesticated ancestors. However, some populations of feral horses are managed as wildlife, and these horses often are popularly called "wild" horses...
in a natural setting in a designated National Monument on Cape Toi (also known as Toimisaki) that is located within the municipal boundaries of Kushima
Kushima, Miyazaki
is a city located in Miyazaki Prefecture, Japan.As of 2003, the city has an estimated population of 22,727 and the density of 77.06 persons per km²...
at the south end of Miyazaki Prefecture
Miyazaki Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located on the island of Kyushu. The capital is the city of Miyazaki.- History :Historically, after the Meiji Restoration, Hyūga Province was renamed Miyazaki Prefecture....
on the island of Kyūshū
Kyushu
is the third largest island of Japan and most southwesterly of its four main islands. Its alternate ancient names include , , and . The historical regional name is referred to Kyushu and its surrounding islands....
. The Misaki ponies are a popular draw for tourists in the region and were designated a National Natural Treasure following the end of 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...
.
Characteristics
The Misaki is of ponyPony
A pony is a small horse . Depending on context, a pony may be a horse that is under an approximate or exact height at the withers, or a small horse with a specific conformation and temperament. There are many different breeds...
height, and stands between 12.2 and 13.2 hands
Hand (unit)
The hand is a non-SI unit of measurement of length, now used only for the measurement of the height of horses in some English-speaking countries, including Australia, Canada, the UK and the USA. With origins in ancient Egypt, it was originally based on the breadth of a human hand...
high at the withers
Withers
The withers is the ridge between the shoulder blades of a four-legged animal. In many species it is the tallest point of the body, and in horses and dogs it is the standard place to measure the animal's height .-Horses:The withers in horses are formed by the dorsal spinal processes of roughly the...
. However it has horse
Horse
The horse is one of two extant subspecies of Equus ferus, or the wild horse. It is a single-hooved mammal belonging to the taxonomic family Equidae. The horse has evolved over the past 45 to 55 million years from a small multi-toed creature into the large, single-toed animal of today...
characteristics and proportions. Most individuals are colored bay or black
Black (horse)
Black is a hair coat color of horses in which the entire hair coat is black. Black is a relatively uncommon coat color, and novices frequently mistake dark chestnuts or bays for black. However, some breeds of horses, such as the Friesian horse, Murgese and Ariegeois are almost exclusively black...
, with the occasional chestnut
Chestnut (coat)
Chestnut is a hair coat color of horses consisting of a reddish-to-brown coat with a mane and tail the same or lighter in color than the coat. Genetically and visually, chestnut is characterized by the absolute absence of true black hairs...
. White markings
Horse markings
Markings on horses usually are distinctive white areas on an otherwise dark base coat color. Most horses have some markings, and they help to identify the horse as a unique individual. Markings are present at birth and do not change over the course of the horse's life...
are rare.
See also
- List of horse breeds
- Feral horseFeral horseA feral horse is a free-roaming horse of domesticated ancestry. As such, a feral horse is not a wild animal in the sense of an animal without domesticated ancestors. However, some populations of feral horses are managed as wildlife, and these horses often are popularly called "wild" horses...
- Miyako PonyMiyako PonyThe is a rare breed of pony originating from Miyako Island, in Japan.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...
- 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...
External links
The breed along with the other eight Japanese native breeds in October 2007 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine by Bow tie press.