The origins of these Ban’ei are in European working horse stock that have adapted well to the harsh climate. In the winter, two coats of fur keep them warm, and they survive by eating snow and digging around for roots and plants. The horses are occasionally used for meat, but mainly for the once lucrative sport of Ban’ei Keiba, a type of racing specific to Hokkaido where the horse pulls a very heavy load over an undulating 200 meter course. The pace is so slow that spectators can walk alongside as the race takes place, even in the midst of winter.
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