Jejus (or Jejuma) are horses native to Jeju Special
Self-Governing Province, Republic of Korea. There is a diverse array of types,
each differently identified depending on their coat color. Jeju horses mature
well in harsh conditions due to their strength and fitness. With an outstanding
tolerance of low temperatures, they have been mostly pastured without the need
for horse blankets or stables.
Jeju horses were once considered to be endangered. Following
the nation’s industrialization period of the 1960s, Jeju horses became
impractical to use with the distribution of new agricultural machinery and
developments in means of transportation. In response, the Government of the
Republic of Korea designated the Jeju horse as Natural Monument No. 347 in
1986, as a way to preserve and manage approximately 150 of the remaining Jeju
horses as state-designated cultural properties.
In 2000, the Jeju Stockbreeding Promotion Institute was
appointed by the national government to register and manage the pedigrees of
the Jeju horses owned by local farming households. Since then, a total of 2,080
Jeju horses have been registered with the institute for their pedigrees.
They are small to medium-sized with a large head and a thick
neck. They have a block-shaped body with a relatively long torso compared to
its heights measured from the ground to withers or from the ground to its hip.
They were traditionally used as farm and draft horses because of their
remarkable stamina and endurance, while current breeds are utilized for racing
and riding. With firm and thick hoofs, they run without the need for
horseshoes.
Stallions range from 121.8 to 128.9 centimetres (12.0 to
12.2 1/2 hands; 48 to 50 1/2 in), while mares usually stand between 113.2 to
127.3 centimetres (11.0 1/2 to 12.2 hands; 44 1/2 to 50 in) The typical lengths
of both genders lie between 122.3 to 124.5 centimetres (48.1 to 49.0 in) and,
on average, they weigh 230 to 330 kilograms (510 to 730 lb).
About Jejus Horses
