Japan

    I have one major problem with the "Japanese native breeds."  They are almost always called horses, and they are almost always the size of ponies.  I will leave the organization according to size for now!

    Japanese mythology has many references to supernatural horses.  In one instance a stallion named Ikezuki has become a legend.  Ikezuki was born about 1177 and as a young colt taught itself to swim.  Later, while on the way to a fair, it escaped by swimming a river.  Its owner eventually caught up with it at the fair but was unable to sell his high-spirited horse.  After many such exploits Ikezuki was eventually bought by Yoritomo, a great warrior and victor of the Battle of Dannoura in 1185.
    Today many Japanese horses are entirely, or partly, of Western extraction, but often domestically bred.  Early in 1968 the Japanese equestrian team purchased European horses for competing in the Olympics in Mexico.  Racing and trotting are popular, and in winter horse skiing races are held at the Sappire Race Track.
    All of the native horses of Japan are believed to be descended from horses brought from China about 2,000 years ago. They are now separated into eight distinct breeds.  In addition to these native breeds, Japan has also been home to crossbred Anglo-Arabian, Anglo-Norman, Thoroughbred, Gidran, Nonius, and Percheron horses.

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