Cheju

The Cheju, a breed developed in the Province of Cheju located in South Korea. When the Cheju first became a breed is something of a mystery. Some people believe that it began in prehistoric times, though this has not been backed with any official documentation. Some documents verify the existence of the breed during the times of the Korya dynasty.

The Cheju horse is a relatively small horse, in the pony class, standing at only 11 h.h. However, even though it has a small stature, it is still perfect for light draft and riding purposes. The breed is extremely hardy, surviving  severe winters, even without adequate shelter. The Cheju has also proven resistant to ticks and diseases.

Its small size does not adequately portray the strength of the Cheju, it has the ability to haul around 230 pound loads. Modern Cheju's are at risk of extinction. In fact, the government of Korea has named the Cheju its 347th national treasure. The colors of this breed vary widely. Predominantly they can be found in colors of black, bay, or chestnut. It is not unheard of to find the occasional Cheju in pinto, cream, white, black, or grey colors.