Jeju horse
The Jeju horse (Korean: 제주마; Hanja: 濟州馬; RR: Jejuma) is a horse breed native to the Jeju Island in South Korea. In a diverse array of types, each is identified differently depending on its 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 about 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 has been registered with the institute for their pedigrees.
| Life Span | 25-30 years |
| Weight | 380-550 kg |
What to Know Before Buying a Jeju horse
Finding a responsible Jeju horse breeder requires more than browsing classified ads or responding to social media posts. The USDA requires any breeder who sells horses commercially — especially those selling online or through third-party dealers — to hold a federal license and submit to regular inspections. A legitimate breeder should be willing to provide their USDA license number, invite you to visit their facility, and show you where the animals are housed and socialized.
Before committing to a purchase, ask the breeder for veterinary health records, vaccination documentation, and any genetic testing results relevant to the Jeju horse. Reputable breeders will also ask you questions in return — about your living situation, experience with animals, and ability to provide long-term care. A breeder who asks no questions and is eager to ship an animal immediately is a significant red flag.
Use the search tool below to check whether any USDA-licensed facilities breeding Jeju horses appear in our database. If they do, review their inspection history carefully. Look for patterns of violations, pay attention to severity levels, and compare their compliance grade with other breeders in the same state. This due diligence takes minutes and can save you from supporting a facility with documented animal welfare problems.
Looking for a Jeju horse breeder?
Search our database of USDA-licensed facilities to find inspected breeders and check their compliance history.
Search USDA Breeders