Though this ancient breed may not be refined or graced with regal blood, it has served the people of Bali for centuries. Both in the wild and domesticated, this hardy and tough horse has a somewhat primitive appearance. The head is large and unpolished. The coat is coarse, and the strides are short and 'cloppy.'

Though the Bali may not be a model of beauty and grace, it is a remarkably strong beast worthy of honor. Tough and enduring, the Bali is known for strong legs and hard feet that rarely need to be shod. The conformation and attributes of the horse are well suited to its mountainous home.

Not only is it a popular mount for tourists wishing to see the island on horseback, albeit slowly, the Bali is also an all-around work horse still used today by the people of the island. They are phenomenally strong for their size and as the only horse on the island they've been utilized for almost everything. When not carting and plowing, they're often seen hauling rocks from the beach up the volcanic terrain.

The exact roots of this ancient Indonesian breed are unknown. However, it's believed that equine stock was brought over with the Chinese in the sixth century. If this is true, that would make the Bali Horse a descendant of the Mongolian Horse, a stocky breed with hard hooves, short legs, and a large head. However, it's important to note that the Dutch also brought horses with them to the island in the eighteenth century and this injection of European blood had an impact as well.

The Bali has not been bred for any specific purpose or aesthetic conformation. But it has developed particular traits, like its strong hooves, that make it well suited to island life.

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