The Kiso is one of the eight indigenous horse breeds of Japan. It is the only native horse breed from Honshu (the principal/main island of Japan). The Kiso breed originates from the Kiso Valley and the Kiso Sanmyaku mountain range, in Nagano Prefecture, and the Higashimino region of Gifu Prefecture, in central Honshu. During the Meiji era, the population of Kiso horses was largely eradicated, and only a single stallion remained. Through the efforts of the Kiso Pony Conservation Group, the total number of horses has risen back to the triple digits. The Kiso Uma no Sato, or "Kiso horse village", at Kaita Kogen below Mount Kiso Ontake, is a center for the breeding and conservation of the Kiso breed.

The Kiso is a small horse, but mid-sized in relation to other Japanese native breeds. Research published in 2011 found an average height of 131.9 ± 4.4 cm, an average thoracic circumference (girth) of 167.1 ± 10.1 cm and a cannon bone circumference of 18.3 ± 1.0 cm. The distribution of coat colours in Kiso horses has changed substantially since 1953: in 2011, approximately 93% of those studied were bay or dark bay, and the remainder either chestnut or buckskin dun; in 1953, bay and dark bay made up less than 60%, and there were also small numbers of black, grey and palomino horses. All registered stallions in 2011 were bay. About 66% of the horses studied had a dorsal stripe. (Source)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OpTEylzjtys
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_5cgUhCrQbA

Cuties

Pretty horses, solid little things!

Paints since 6-8-14

They are :) might not get any ribbons from beauty contests or flashy movement but when you're trekking down a mountain trail they'll take care of you :)

Bumping!