A winter tradition of running horses on the snow to relieve the lack of exercise in winter, "Oi-do", has started to open to the public at a ranch in Otofuke-cho, Hokkaido.
At the "Livestock Breeding Center Tokachi Ranch" in Otofuke Town, every year in the winter when grazing is not possible, the "chasing exercise" is held to eliminate the lack of exercise in horses and prevent pregnant horses from having a difficult delivery.
The season was open to the public on the 16th, and 86 horses ran the 800-meter course.
Pregnant horses can weigh up to 1 tonne.
The horses ran through the snow with their large bodies, and the sound of their hooves echoed around.
A woman who came to see the horses said, "She wanted to come and see the horses once. The horses were big and powerful."
A 6th grade girl said, "I'm glad I smelled horses."
The "chasing movement" is open to the public on weekdays until the 24th of next month.