Noma pony

Noma pony

Country of origin	Japan
Horse (Equus ferus caballus)

The Noma (野間馬, Noma-uma^?) is a pony breed originating in Imabari, Ehime Prefecture, Japan. They originated in the 17th century from Mongolian stock, and are the smallest native ponies from that country, standing about up to 10.1 to 10.3 hh. The ponies are used for draft and riding. They are one of the 8 recognized native horse breeds in Japan.^[1]

The breed is currently being preserved as local cultural heritage. At one point the population was as low as six.^[2] It rebounded to the point that by December, 1988, there were 27 pure Noma ponies. But as of 2008 there are now 84 purebred ponies in existence.^[2]

See also

• List of horse breeds
• Misaki
• Hokkaido Pony
• Miyako Pony
• Yonaguni (horse)

References

1. ^ The eight native Japanese horse breeds are the Hokkaido Pony, Kiso, Misaki, Miyako Pony, Noma pony, Toakara, Tsushima, and Yonaguni
2. ^ ^{a b} Japan Times article on the Noma pony

External links

• "Country Report (For FAO State of the World’s Animal Genetic Resources Process)", Editorial Committee Office of the Japanese Country Report, Animal Genetic Resources Laboratory, National Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, Japan.
• Japanese horse breeds
• "A rare, short breed returns"
• "Japan Saves Noma horse"
• "Horse"