Hematological and blood biochemical parameters of Tokara horses in Kaimon Foothills Nature Park

Abstract

The Tokara horse is a breed of native Japanese horse, for which hematological and biochemical data are lacking. The aim of this study was to obtain current hematological and biochemical data on Tokara horses. We enrolled 90 Tokara horses kept at the Kaimon Foothills Nature Park (Kagoshima) that underwent physical examinations and blood sampling between 2022 and 2024. All horses in this study were regarded as clinically healthy, based on physical examinations. Hematological and biochemical parameters also showed no abnormal values. Based on the above results, we consider that the data from this study will serve as reference values for blood tests in Tokara horses. However, we consider further research is needed on horses kept at two other locations (Nakanoshima and Iriki farm, Kagoshima).