Horses that inherited the Jeju horse bloodline but were not registered as Jeju horses because they did not meet the established breeding standards will be recognized as ‘native horses’ after a separate review.
The Jeju Livestock Research Institute announced on the 1st that it proposed revision of the related notice to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and that it would revise the ‘Detailed Promotion Regulations for Native Horse Recognition Business’ accordingly.
Currently, Jeju horses must meet established pedigree and breeding standards to be registered as Jeju horses.
Paternity must be confirmed through genetic analysis of the sire, mother, and foal, and registration criteria such as established breeding combinations must be met.
Even if both parents are Jeju horses and paternity is confirmed through genetic testing, if the sire is not a designated sire or does not fit the designated breeding combination, the foal cannot be registered as a Jeju horse.
This revision is a system that recognizes horses that do not meet the registration criteria even though they have Jeju horse bloodlines as ‘native horses’ after a separate review, rather than newly registering them as Jeju horses.
The scope of recognition of native horses, which is currently limited to Jeju horses with registered pedigrees, will be expanded to include horses that have the pedigree characteristics of Jeju horses but do not meet the registration criteria.
Through this revision of the regulations, the institute plans to specify the target and scope of recognition of native horses and clarify application documents and recognition review procedures.
Document screening and on-site inspection are distinguished, and appearance screening standards to be applied during the on-site inspection are also established.
Newly recognized horses will be allowed to use the ‘native horse recognition mark’, and procedures for application, use, cancellation, and follow-up management will also be established.
However, even if it is recognized as a native horse, it does not have the same status as the Jeju horse.
The researcher believes that horses newly recognized as native horses cannot compete in Jeju horse racing, but can be used as native horses, which will help farmers sell and utilize horses.
Yang Won-jong, head of the Jeju Livestock Research Institute, said, "We hope that this revision will systematically preserve the value of Jeju horses, a native horse, and serve as an institutional foundation for the development of the horse industry. We will increase convenience for farmers and guide the system to be stably established in the field."
◇ Jeju horse, native horse, natural monument How are Jeju horses different?
Jeju horses are a unique breed that was formed when Mongolian horses and Jeju native horses were crossed over a long period of time and adapted to the Jeju environment. Although they are small in size, they have a strong constitution, excellent endurance, and docile characteristics.
Among these, horses registered by meeting the established pedigree and breeding standards are ‘registered Jeju horses’.
With this revision, horses that are newly eligible for recognition as native horses are those that have the pedigree characteristics of Jeju horses, but are not registered as Jeju horses because they do not meet the breeding standards.
It is also different from general improved breeds such as ‘Halrama’, which is a cross between Jeju horse and other breeds of horse.
Hallama is an improved breed that increased productivity by crossing Jeju horses and Thoroughbreds.
Also, not all Jeju horses are natural monuments.
Jeju horses, which are natural monuments, are limited to Jeju horses whose pedigree and standard body type are strictly managed by the Jeju Livestock Research Institute in the horse farm and pasture protection area.
Jeju horses were designated as Natural Monument No. 347 on February 8, 1986, as their population rapidly decreased, and the researcher maintains an appropriate number of horses of at least 150 to preserve their unique lineage.
