HORSE BREEDS: THE JAPANESE TAISHŪ

HORSE BREEDS

Rare Japanese horse breeds face critical list

The Taishū is one of eight horse breeds designated as indigenous in Japanese by the Japan Equine Affairs Association, and many of them are on the brink of extinction, writes

DANNII CUNNANE.

Although there is still some controversy over the subject, it is generally believed that horses did not exist in Japan during the Paleolithic, Mesolithic or Neolithic periods (Stone Age, Jomon and early YaYoi eras).

It is also believed that all Japanese native horses are descended from animals brought from the mainland of Asia at various times and by various routes. Certainly domestic horses were present in Japan as early as the fourth century.

Where does the horse live? The Taishū is a rare Japanese breed of small horse from Tsushima Island in the Korea Strait, in Nagasaki Prefecture, off the coast of Japan. The island is situated halfway between the Japanese mainland and the Korean Peninsula.

It is a relatively small breed of horse and stands at an average height of around 130 centimetres at the shoulder – 13hh. They are noted for their gentle nature and were once widely used for agriculture and to transport people and goods to their destinations before cars and trucks took over the industry.

The horse in Japanese culture Up until 1912, the Taishū played an important role in Japanese culture. They were widely used in warfare until the introduction of firearms in the late sixteenth century and horsemanship was one of the skills prized by the warriors who founded the Samurai class.

Horses had an important symbolic role in Japanese religion

and even today at certain shrines a sacred white horse is stabled. Oddly enough horses were not widely used in agriculture until the Meiji Era (1868-1912), oxen being preferred in most areas for working fields and rice paddies. Oxen also provided traction power, pulling wagons and carts.

Horses, on the other hand, were widely used as pack animals to carry goods on the highways and for use in steep mountainous regions. People of the upper classes also rode them. During these years there were more than 4000 horses on Tsushima Island, with the breed being mixed with larger horses imported from other countries. Eventually motorisation and mechanised agriculture pushed the Taishū to the edge of extinction.

‘ ‘ Their heads are relatively large, the neck is carried horizontally, their manes are thick and flowing.

Breed Characteristics Japanese native breeds share a number of characteristics: they are all technically ponies as all of them stand at approximately 13 hands high. Their heads are relatively large, the neck is carried horizontally, their manes are thick and flowing.

In general, when viewed from the rear the croup is rather wide at the top, narrowing toward the legs. The most common colours are bay, brown, chestnut, roan and cremello.

These horses generally do not have white markings on legs or face but a black dorsal stripe is extremely common. The Taishū are known for their endurance, their ability to survive on poor food and in severe weather conditions and have extremely tough hooves.

How close to extinction is it? In 1989 the population was reported as critical with only 89 alive and in 2007 the horse was listed by the Food and Agricultural Organisation of the United Nations as criticallymaintained with a population of 30 reported.

To prevent the Taishū from becoming extinct, residents on Tsushima Island and the local municipal government and outside experts are breeding it in a local horse-riding park. This has raised its population to 38 animals in the breeding program but a shortage of stables and land still threatens the population.

To raise revenue, horse riding lessons were being offered in the park on these beautiful animals, but unfortunately the Tsushima city office, which manages the riding park, became entangled in a financial bind. Once a popular sport, that fell into a decline the racing of the Taishū has recently been reintroduced. The horses are also being used as therapy for children and adults alike, with their calming presence of great benefit to those who spend time with them.

Locals and those on the Japanese mainland are encouraged to adopt a horse from the breeding program to assist with the monthly bills associated with each horse.

Left: Kaori Tsuda and her daughter, Rin, out for a ride on Taishū horses.

Above: Rin Tsuda brushes a Taishū horse, an ancient breed that originated on Tsushima Island