During the Majapahit period, the quantity and quality of Javanese horse breeds steadily grew. In 1513 CE Tomé Pires praised the highly decorated horses of Javanese nobility, complemented by gold-studded stirrups and lavishly decorated saddles that were "not found anywhere else in the world". It is likely that Sumbawa horse was introduced to the island by the Javanese people of Majapahit Empire, who conquered the island in the 14th century. The sultans of Bima and West Sumbawa are deemed to possess numerous horses. Sumbawa and the Sumba (Sandalwood) horse are supposed to be close from the Mongolian Horse. Although Arabic origin is often cited in ancient documents (including the Dutch ones), there is no evidence of this in Indonesian horses and Sumbawa ponies. See also Pony Sumbawa pony Sandalwood pony Bali pony List of horse breeds References Bibliography External links Horse breeds Horse breeds originating in Indonesia