Central Japan Farm Racing to Save Disappearing Kiso Horse Breed

Kiso, Nagano Pref., Jan. 16 (Jiji Press)–A farm in the central Japan prefecture of Nagano is working to save a Japanese horse breed called “Kiso uma,” or Kiso horse, with only about 140 such horses remaining in the country. The Kiso horse breed hails mainly from the Kiso region of Nagano. Known for their gentle temperament and sturdy physique, Kiso horses were mainly used for farming and transportation in mountainous areas. Although about 7,000 Kiso horses existed in the region during the Meiji era (1868-1912), their population dwindled to about 30 during the 1970s, partly due to industrialization. The Kiso Uma no Sato farm in the Nagano town of Kiso now manages about 40 Kiso horses. “I hope to create an environment in which local residents understand the necessity (of preserving the breed),” said Takeru Nakagawa, head of the farm and also secretary-general of the Kiso Horse Conservation Association. The farm opened in 1995, with the main objective of protecting the breed. Currently, four staff members, including Nakagawa, and two people from a regional revitalization cooperation team are responsible for conservation efforts at the 50-hectare farm located at the foot of Mount Ontake. The facility also offers horseback riding experiences to the public. “The basis (of conservation efforts) lies in breeding,” Nakagawa said. The biggest issue with breeding is that many mares have difficulty conceiving, partly due to irregular estrus caused by aging and being overweight. To address the issue, the association has joined forces with Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine since 2020 to work on embryo transfers, in which a fertilized embryo is placed in the uterus of another mare. The farm has also been working on its own embryo transfer project and has seen some positive results. The farm also focuses on utilizing Kiso horses, believing that increased opportunities to use them would help breeding efforts. Local schools have begun to provide educational opportunities with the farm’s horses. The farm also offers horse therapy to improve people’s motor skills as the Kiso horses’ small frame and gait provide bounce-free rides. Although the farm faces issues such as increased demand and staff shortages, Nakagawa said, “There are times when our horses respond well to our efforts.” “Those moments help us keep doing what we’re doing,” he explained. “We’ll strive to broadly communicate the cultural values of Kiso horses and create a (suitable) environment,” he added. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]