The Tokara Horse

The Tokara Horse is a type of Japanese horse, native to the islands of Kyushu and Kagoshima Prefectures. They are about 100-120 centimetres tall with a seal brown coat. The Tokara horse is also known as the “Tortoise” and “Ottawa” in Japan. Read on to learn more about this Japanese horse and its unique characteristics. And, don’t forget to check out the rest of our articles on Japanese horses.

Misaki horse

The Misaki horse, Tokara horse, and Tosa horse are all equine companions in the Valdemar book series by Mercedes Lackey. These white horses were once human spirits who were reincarnated as white horses. These creatures became part of a family and have become cherished members of their owners’ lives. The stories in these books are full of history and fascinating facts about these magnificent creatures.

Kogashima horse

The Tokara is a Japanese horse that is native to the Tokara Islands in Kagoshima Prefecture, on the island of Kyushu. These horses grow from 100 to 120 centimetres in height, with seal-brown coats. Kogashima horses are the most famous breed of horse in Japan. Here’s a look at how to find one! Read on to learn more about this unique breed!

The Kogashima horse is the oldest purebred Japanese horse and is a designated Prefectural Natural Treasure. This breed is only found on the Tokara Islands, and today, only 116 of them are alive. Its origins and development in the islands make it unique. The Tokara is also referred to as the “Tokara Pony.”

The Kogashima horse’s genetic heritage goes back to the 8th century. The native horses were brought to the Kyushu region by Kikai Shima. They were bred on Tokara Island, and once populated the Kagoshima region. World War II drastically reduced their population, but fortunately, some breeders managed to save the breed through arduous efforts. Today’s Kogashima horses are larger than the original ones, standing a healthy 11 hands high at the withers.

The Kiso horse is a critically endangered breed. It is believed to have originated from mainland horses in the 6th century. The Imperial Japanese Army wanted taller horses, so they ordered Kiso stallions to be gelded and covered with imported stallions. While this process did save some Kiso horses, its effects were irreversible. And yet, the horses were only saved because of the sacrifice.

Yonaguni horse

A Japanese breed of pony, the Yonaguni is genetically related to the Tokara and Miyako and stands around eleven hands high. It has a large head and relatively small ears, a short neck and thick shoulders, a high tail set, and long vertical hooves. Though it is a small pony, it is incredibly strong and gentle. The Yonaguni was originally used for farm work, but few now work on the farm.

The Tokara, also known as the Kogashima horse, is a unique breed of Japanese pony. The Tokara horse was first discovered in 1952 and was later declared a National Monument in Kagoshima. In 1974, there was only one Tokara horse left, but after concentrated breeding, the number rose to more than 100 today. Although there is no information on their history, this Japanese pony can be found at Hirakawa Zoo.

Before the Second World War, every household in the island had at least one Yonaguni. After the war, this number grew to over 600, proving that the island had a high demand for the horse. These horses were primarily used for plows, and carts back the produce from the farms. However, as machinery began to replace horse labor, the Yonaguni population decreased and the Tokara population increased.

The Tokara horse was originally brought from the island of Kikai Shima about 1890 and bred on the Tokara Island. They were once very plentiful in the Kagoshima area, but their numbers plummeted during the war. Despite their popularity, the horses were saved by strenuous efforts, resulting in a more aesthetically pleasing breed of horse.

Nakanoshima horse

The Tokara horse is genetically divided into three distinct subpopulations, Nakanoshima, Kaimondake, and Iriki. While the number of Tokara horses increased to 123 in 2016, the population is still largely unknown. Because the Tokara horse has no clear pedigree, future breeding plans will require detailed genetic information. The goal is to maintain the unique genetic traits of the Tokara horse and create a stable population.

The Tokara horse originated in the Kogashima region of the Tokara Islands. It was discovered in 1952 and labeled a national monument in Kagoshima. At one time, there was only one Tokara horse left in the world. In 1974, one of the horses was transported to the island of Nakanoshima, and from there, concentrated breeding efforts led to more than 100 Tokara horses.

The Yonaguni are the most ancient Japanese breeds, dating back to the 8th century. These horses are small by western standards and were bred on Tokara Island. They were once widespread in the Kagoshima region, but their numbers dropped significantly during World War II. Thankfully, some people preserved the Yonaguni and Tokara by breeding them with western horses. Today, the resulting horses are much larger than the originals. In fact, the originals stood up to 11 hands tall at the withers!

Historically, these Japanese native breeds were used for transportation, packing, and agriculture. Eventually, most were castrated, but one purebred horse escaped castration, and now it is the Kiso County Kaida Mura which works to preserve the Kiso horse. Kiso horses are around thirteen hands high and typically exhibit primitive markings. Their main uses are riding, agriculture work, and driving.

Miyako horse

The Tokara horse Miyako is a famous Japanese breed of horse. The book is part of the Valdemar series by Mercedes Lackey. This series is about a group of companions, or white horses that are human spirits who have been reincarnated. This beautiful horse has a lot of personality, and is a great companion to its master. The book is a great read for fans of Japanese culture.