• The Miyako originated in Japan on the Miyako Island

• The Miyako breed goes back to at least the 13th century

• Until 1960, when a motor road was constructed, the Miyako horse was the major form of transportation on the island

• In 1907, a number of larger horses of European and American origin were introduced and the average size of the breed increased to as much as 13.3 hands high

• The original breed seldom grew taller than 11 hands and now efforts are being made to restore the breed to its original form

• It is used for riding and light draft