Horse
Pronunciation:
mih-sah'-kee
Breed Description:
The Misaki breed of horse is a native, small, light Japanese pony. Today it is best known as a wild pony, popular as a tourist attraction. It is almost always bay or black, with an occasional chestnut, and rarely has any white markings.
Temperament:
The Misaki breed of horse is a wild breed, but has been successfully domesticated.
Height:
The Misaki breed of horse stands 12.2 to 13.2 hands.
Weight:
The Misaki breed of horse weighs 450 to 550 pounds.
Health Problems:
The Misaki breed of horse has no specific health problems.
Living Conditions:
The Misaki breed of horse is a wild breed, and can tolerate even cold and wet conditions.
Exercise:
The Misaki breed of horse is a wild breed and needs plenty of freedom and exercise.
Life Expectancy:
The Misaki breed of horse lives into its late twenties.
Grooming:
The Misaki breed of horse is a wild breed and needs little care.
Origin:
The Misaki breed of horse is a native Japanese breed believed to trace back to horses brought to Japan from China, as far back as 2,000 years ago. The breed was first identified in the historical record in 1697 when the Akizuki family of the Takanabe Clan rounded up feral horses 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 today lives as a wild horse in a natural setting in a protected area in Japan. 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. 