Taishū

The Taishū is a small Japanese native horse associated with Tsushima Island between Kyushu and the Korean Peninsula. It was traditionally used for riding, packing, and farm transport in steep island terrain, where surefootedness and manageable size were more valuable than speed. Like several Japanese native horse breeds, it is rare and closely tied to local history. The name may also be rendered Taishu when diacritics are omitted.

Stewardship of the Taishū is mainly a conservation matter. Small island horse populations need accurate identification, careful breeding choices, and public education that keeps them from being treated as generic ponies. Daily care remains practical: forage control, hoof trimming, safe handling, and work suited to a small body. Conservation herds or educational programs should keep the horses useful enough to handle and evaluate, while protecting the traits that made them suitable for Tsushima's terrain and rural life.

Colors: Amber Champagne, Bay, Bay Dun, Bay Roan, Black, Blanket Appaloosa, Blue Roan, Brown, Buckskin, Champagne, Chestnut, Classic Champagne, Cremello, Dun, Dun Roan, Fewspot Appaloosa, Flaxen Chestnut, Frame Overo, Gold Champagne, Gray, Grey, Grullo, Leopard Appaloosa, Liver Chestnut, Overo, Palomino, Perlino, Piebald, Pinto, Rabicano, Red Dun, Red Roan, Roan, Sabino, Seal Bay, Silver Dapple, Skewbald, Smoky Black, Smoky Cream, Snowcap Appaloosa, Sorrel, Splash White, Tobiano, Tovero, Varnish Roan, White