Phillipe Wiskell
*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.