Hokkaido

In Japan, the Hokkaido breed is called "Do-san-ko" as a term of endearment.  Hokkaido ponies are an old breed, thought to have been brought by fishermen to Hokkaido during the Edo era (1600 to 1867).  The fishermen were searching for herring in Hokkaido, and used the horses as their transportation- but when the fishermen returned home, they left the horses in Hokkaido. The fishermen expected the horses to live on their own with snow all winter; with little bamboo grass in the mountains.  When they returned in the spring, the fishermen would bring new horses and make use of any surviving horses they found.  It is from this cycle that the Hokkaido developed their enduring strength.

Most of the breed is located in Hokkaido along the Pacific Coast.  of the remaining Japanese ponies, the Hokkaido is the most plentiful with about 2000 ponies existing.  The Hokkaido are primarily used for transportation in mountains where vehicles and machines cannot pass through.  The eat mostly bamboo grass and will wander the mountains in the winter, if left free in search of bamboo, and will find their way back to the ranch in the spring before the bears awake from hibernation.  The horses are mostly solid colors, and white markings are not allowed by the registry.