Cheju
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Names: Cheju. Named for the province in Korea where they originated.
Origin: Originated in
Korea from the Cheju Province. The Cheju island is off the southern coast
of South Korea.
The Cheju native pony may have existed since prehistoric
times, although no clear record confirms this. During the Korya dynasty
(1276-1376), Mongolians governed Cheju and introduced their horses to the
island. One record shows that 160 breeding horses were brought from Mongolia to
Cheju and used for improving the native ponies. Since that time, horses raised
on Cheju have been exported to the mainland of Korea and to China. Native ponies
were also used for crossbreeding with Mongolian
and some other exotic breeds.
During the Koryo and Choson dynasties, Cheju was a major
horse producing area and 25 percent of the island's farm households were engaged
in horse production. At one time there were as many as 20,000 native ponies in
Cheju, but this number decreased with mechanization of farming and
transportation to only 2,500 by 1989. The breed is in serious danger of
extinction. For their preservation, in 1987 the Korean government designated the
Cheju native pony as National treasure No. 347, but their population status is
rare.
Breeding:
Description: The Cheju shows influence of both the Arab and Mongolian breeds.
Back: Short and straight.
Color: Predominant colors of the ponies are chestnut, bay, and black and occasionally gray, black, white, cream colored, or pinto.
Croup: Gently sloped.
Ears: Small.
Eyes: Large.
Head: Nicely shaped, with a deep jaw tapering to a small muzzle.
Neck: Short and well muscled.
Profile: Straight.
Shoulder: Often quite straight.
Size: They stand 11 hands high.
Tail: Set fairly high.
Temperament:
Features: The hardiness and draft ability of the Cheju native pony is outstanding, especially considering its small size. The ponies survive the most severe winters without artificial shelter and are highly resistant to both disease and ticks. Mares foal regularly up to twenty or more years of age. Cheju ponies are able to carry loads up to 230 pounds.
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