Post by Admin on Jan 18, 2015 19:23:05 GMT 2
Welcome to the Pony Breed Federation, here you will find all the information on as many ponies as we possibly can get togethar, if you do find a pony breed missing please PM me the name and I will add it here. You will also find a list of breed societies below that are hosted by members.
Brief History:
Ponies originally developed as a landrace adapted to a harsh natural environment, and were considered part of the "draft" subtype typical of Northern Europe. At one time, it was hypothesized that they may have descended from a wild "draft" subspecies of Equus ferus. Studies of mitochondrial DNA (which is passed on though the female line) indicate that a large number of wild mares have contributed to modern domestic breeds; in contrast, studies of y-DNA (passed down the male line) suggest that there was possibly just one single male ancestor of all domesticated breeds. Domestication of the horse probably first occurred in the Eurasian steppes with horses of between 13 hands (52 inches, 132 cm) to over 14 hands (56 inches, 142 cm), and as horse domestication spread, the male descendents of the original stallion went on to be bred with local wild mares.
Domesticated ponies of all breeds originally developed mainly from the need for a working animal that could fulfill specific local draft and transportation needs while surviving in harsh environments. The usefulness of the pony was noted by farmers who observed that a pony could outperform a draft horse on small farms.
By the 20th century, many pony breeds had Arabian and other blood added to make a more refined pony suitable for riding.
The New Forest Pony
There have been NF ponies in the Forest since the end of the last Ice Age. The Forest and the ponies are inter-dependent. Without the ponies the Forest would be very different, more overgrown with less birds and flowers. Early records include the bones of a 13hh pony at the Roman Villa at Rockbourne and the profits of the Royal Stud at Lyndhurst going to the building of Beaulieu Abbey.
In1507 mounts from the New Forest were shipped to the French wars, probably NF mares bred to a Spanish Horse standing at the Royal Stud at Lyndhurst rather than the myth of the Spanish Horse swimming ashore from the Armada. The introduction of outside stallions was at its height in the first decade of the 20th century. Most ran out but Field Marshall stood at stud. After WW1 commoners stated that those ponies with the most old forest blood stayed longest on the forest so after 1930 only NF stallions were permitted to run out.
The New Forest ponies most endearing quality is their inbred, gentle nature. Their calm temperament naturally recommends them as an excellent choice and an ideal mount for both children and adults. They have long been raced locally and are surprisingly fast, especially over rough terrain. They are suited to many competitive activities from Pony Club to polo, driving to dressage, they are naturals at jumping and gymkhana and are successfully trained to carry handicapped riders.
All in all, the modern New Forest Pony is an exceptional all-rounder with an endearing character, that has developed as a result of both its unique environment and strong association with the people who have been responsible for the development of the breed.
The upper height limit is 148 cms. There is no lower limit. All ponies should be judged equally regardless of height. They are normally shown in 2 height sections 138 cms and under (competition type A) and over 138 cms (competition height B).
New Forest ponies may be any colour except piebald, skewbald, spotted or blue eyed cream. Palomino or very light chestnut and cream ponies with dark eyes are not eligible as licensed stallions. Blue eyes are not permitted. White markings other than on the head and lower limbs: loss of, or absence of, pigment in hair or skin that is not known to have been associated solely with skin trauma is not acceptable. So, for the purposes of entry into the approved section of the Stud Book a pony shall not have any white markings behind the head, above a horizontal line level with the bony protuberance of the accessory carpal bone at the back of the knee in the forelimb, and the point of the hock in the hind limb, unless proven to be due to trauma/injury.
New Forest ponies should be of working type with substance. They should have sloping shoulders, strong quarters, plenty of flat bone, good depth of body, straight limbs and good hard round feet. The ponies are quite capable of carrying adults, while narrow enough for small children. The smaller ponies, though not up to so much weight, often show more quality. This should be free, active and straight, but not exaggerated.The New Forest Pony has an ideal temperament and should be very easy to train. Ponies registered in the X Section of the Stud Book may not adhere to the Breed Standard. These ponies are not pemitted in Registered New Forest Pony classes.
The Shetland Pony
Small ponies have existed in the Shetland Isles for over 2000 years and probably much longer. Various excavations on the islands have revealed the bones of small ponies that existed during the Bronze Age and it is thought that ponies have been in domestic use there since this time.
It is believed that the Shetland has its origin in the Cob type of Tundra and the Mountain Pony type from Southern Europe which migrated via the ice fields and land masses, with later introduction of a pony brought to the islands by the Celtic people which had evolved from crossing the same Mountain Pony type with the Oriental horse.
Today the Shetland pony no longer has the hardworking life of its ancestors, as nowadays the main employment is for a childs riding pony or for carriage driving, and it is hugely popular world-wide.
Registered stock must not exceed 42 inches. Ponies are measured from the withers to the ground, by measuring stick, and a level stance, preferably concrete, should be used. Shetland ponies may be any colour known in horses except spotted. A double coat in winter with guard hairs which shed the rain and keep the pony's skin completely dry in the worst of the weather and, in summer a short coat which should carry a beautiful silky sheen. At all times the mane and tail hair should be long, straight and profuse. The head should be small, and in proportion. Ears should be small and erect, wide set but pointing well forward. Forehead should be broad with bold, dark, intelligent eyes. Muzzle must be broad with nostrils wide and open. Teeth and jaw must be correct. The neck should be properly set onto the shoulder, which in turn should be sloping, not upright, and end in a well defined wither. The body should be strong, with plenty of heart room, well sprung ribs, the loin strong and muscular. The quarters should be broad and long with the tail set well up on them. The Forelegs should have good, flat bone. Strong forearm. Short balanced cannon bone. Springy pasterns. The thighs should be strong and muscular with well-shaped strong hocks. When viewed from behind, the hindlegs should not be set too widely apart, nor should the hocks be turned in. The feet are tough, round and well shaped. Action is straight, free action using every joint. Tracking up well. A most salient and essential feature of the Shetland pony is its general air of vitality (presence), stamina and robustness
The Welsh Pony Section A & B
Section A is the Welsh Mountain Pony and Section B is the Welsh Pony. Section A's are hardy, spirited and pony-like and do not exceed 12 h.h. (121.9 cms). Section B's are similar, but larger not exceeding 13.2 h.h. (137.2 cms) and with more riding pony qualities.
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Bred in the mountains and wild regions of Wales for many generations, their acknowledged beauty does not mean they are merely a 'pretty toy' — centuries of 'survival of the fittest' has ensured the sound constitution, iron hard limbs and great intelligence which combined with the legendary Welsh temperament, makes the ideal child's pony of today. They can be seen ridden and driven all over the world — equally at home in the cold of Canada and Sweden or the heat of Africa and Australia.
The head of the Mountain Pony should be small, with neat pointed ears, big bold eyes and a wide forehead. The jaw should be clean cut, tapering to a small muzzle; the silhouette may be concave or 'dished' but never convex or too straight. The neck should be of good length and well carried with shoulders sloping back to a clearly defined wither. The limbs must be set square with good flat bone and round dense hooves. The tail set high and gaily carried.
Action must be quick, free and straight from the shoulder, knees and hocks well flexed with straight and powerful leverage well under the body.
The height should not exceed 12 h.h. (121.9 cms).
General Character should be hardy, spirited and pony-like. Any colour, except piebald and skewbald. Head should be small, clean-cut, well set on and tapering to the muzzle. Ears are Well-placed, small and pointed, well up on the head, proportionately close. Jaws and Throat should be clean and finely-cut, with ample room at the angle of the jaw. Neck should be lengthy, well-carried and moderately lean in the case of mares, but inclined to be cresty in the case of mature stallions. Shoulders are long and sloping well back. Withers moderately fine, but not "knifey". The humerus upright so that the foreleg is not set in under the body. Forelegs are set square and true, and not tied in at the elbows. Long, strong forearm, well developed knee, short flat bone below knee, pasterns of proportionate slope and length, feet well-shaped and round, hoofs dense. Back and Loins are Muscular, strong and well coupled. Deep girth. Ribs are well sprung. Hocks to be large, flat and clean with points prominent, to turn neither inwards nor outwards. The hind legs not to be too bent. The hock not to be set behind a line from the point of the quarter to the fetlock joint. Pasterns of proportionate slope and length. Feet well-shaped, hoofs dense. Action must be quick, free and straight from the shoulder, knees and hocks well flexed with straight and powerful leverage well under the body.
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The general description of the Welsh Mountain Pony can be applied to the Welsh Pony, with greater emphasis being placed on riding pony qualities whilst retaining the true Welsh quality with substance.
For generations these ponies were the hill farmers' main means of transport, herding sheep and wild ponies over rough and mountainous country. They had to be hardy, balanced and fast to survive, which ensured that only the best were bred from. These qualities, combined with a natural jumping ability, and the temperament of their Welsh Mountain Pony forebears make the Welsh Pony second to none in whatever field his young rider may choose. Today they hold their own among our top class riding ponies both in performance competitions and in the show ring.
The height should not exceed 13.2 h.h. (137.2 cms). The general description of ponies in Section A of the Stud Book is applicable to those in Section B, but more particularly the Section B pony shall be described as a riding pony, with quality, riding action, adequate bone and substance, hardiness and constitution and with pony character.
The Welsh Pony Section C & D
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The Welsh Pony of Cob Type, Section C, is the stronger counterpart of the Welsh Pony, but with Cob blood. Their true worth as a dual purpose animal has been fully realised in recent years, and their numbers have increased accordingly. Active, surefooted and hardy, they are ideal for so many purposes both for adults and children. Like all the Welsh Breeds they are natural jumpers and they also excel in harness — there are in fact few things that they cannot be used for. The height should not exceed 13.2 h.h. (137.2 cms).
[/ul]Aptly described as "the best ride and drive animal in the World", the Welsh Cob has been evolved throughout many centuries for his courage, tractability and powers of endurance. The general character is the embodiment of strength, hardiness and agility. the head shows great quality with Pony character: bold prominent eyes, a broad forehead and neat, well set ears. The body must be deep, on strong limbs with good "hard wearing" joints and an abundance of flat bone. Action must be straight, free and forceful, the knees should be bent and then the whole foreleg extended from the shoulders as far as possible in all paces, with the hocks well flexed, producing powerful leverage. The Welsh Cob is a good hunter and a most competent performer in all competitive sports. In recent years they have had great success in the international driving world. Their abilities in all spheres are now fully recognised throughout the world.
The height should exceed 13.2 h.h. (137 cms): no upper limit.
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Any colour, except piebald and skewbald. Head should be full of quality and pony character. A coarse head and Roman nose are most objectionable. Eyes should be bold, prominent and set widely apart. Neck should be lengthy and well carried. Moderately lean in the case of mares, but inclined to be cresty in the case of mature stallions. Shoulders should be strong but well laid back. Forelegs should be set square and not tied in at the elbows. Long, strong forearms. Knees well developed with an abundance of bone below them. Pasterns of proportionate slope and length. Feet well-shaped. Hoofs dense. When in the rough, a moderate quantity of silky feather is not objected to but coarse, wiry hair is a definite objection. Back and loins, muscular, strong and well-coupled. Deep through the heart and well-ribbed up.
Hind Quarters should be lengthy and strong. Ragged or drooping quarters are objectionable. Tail well-set on. Second thighs, strong and muscular. Hocks, large, flat and clean, with points prominent, turning neither inward nor outwards. The hind legs must not be too bent and the hock not set behind a line falling from the point of the quarter to the fetlock joint. Pasterns of proportionate slope and length. Feet well-shaped. Hoofs dense. Action should be free, true and forcible. The knee should be bent and the whole foreleg should be extended straight from the shoulder and as far forward as possible in the trot. Hocks flexed under the body with straight and powerful leverage.
The Connemara Pony
The Connemara is elegant, hardy and intelligent with great agility and superb jumping ability. It is probably the best competition pony in the world. It is named after the wild rocky Connemara region on Ireland’s west coast, where hardy ponies have existed for hundreds of years. The pony was valued for it’s versatile abilities, good temperement and hardy disposition. The breed association was founded in Galway in 1923 with the backing of Ireland’s department of agriculture, with the intention of improving the breed. The results have been outstanding and and the Connemara is now a top quality pony that is courageous but sensible and is able to excel in all equestrian sports. Whether you’re looking for a pony for show-jumping or eventing; dressage riding or to utilise as a driving pony, the Connemara cannot be bettered, it is a top class performance pony.
From 128cms to 148 cms at maturity. The pony should not exceed 14.2hh. Grey, Black, Bay, Brown, Dun with occasional roan, Chestnut, Palomino and dark eyed cream are all permitted colours. Compact, well balanced riding type with depth, substance and good heart room. The pony should stand on short legs that cover a lot of ground. Your Connemara Pony should have a short head with a slightly dished profile, a broad forhead and dark full eyes. The Connemara head should be well balanced and of medium length with good width between the eyes. The ears should be of Pony size. The cheekbone well define. The jaw relatively deep but not coarse.
The Connemara’s head should be well set on to the neck. The crest should not be over-developed. The neck not set on too low. It should have a well laid-back shoulder giving a good length of rein. The body of your connemara Pony should be deep, with a strong back and well sloped shoulders. Some length is permissible but your pony should be well ribbed up and have strong loins. Good length and strength in forearm. Well-defined knees and short cannons with plenty of bone beneath the knee (18-21 cms). Elbows should be free. Pasterns of medium length. Feet well shaped of medium size. Hard, sound and level feet are a must
The Connemara Pony should have strong, muscular hindquarters with some length. Well developed second thighs, (gaskin) and strong, low-set hocks. A high set tail. Movement should be free, easy and true, without undue knee action. The pony’s movement should be active and ground covering. Good temperament, Hardiness and staying power, Intelligent, Soundness, sure-footed with good jumping ability. Your Connemara Pony should be suitable for either a child or adult rider.
The Chincoteague Pony
The ponies live on the islands of Chincoteague and Assateague off the coast of Virginia and Maryland. The Ponies are a race of small hardy horses, compact and good natured. The legend is that these ponies swam ashore from a Spanish Vessel which had capsized off the coast, around the century 1600. Once on the islands they became stunted under the harsh environment. To keep from starving they ate coarse saltmarsh cordgrass, American beachgrass, thorny greenbrier stems, bayberry twigs, seaweed and even poison ivy. Because they drink salt water, they have an appearance of being "fat" or "bloated". The horses bred down to the unique breed we know today as the Chincoteague Pony. Today there are two groups of these ponies descended down from the only 17 original Arabian Horses in which survived the famous shipwreck. The two groups are "The Maryland Herd" and "The Virginia Herd". The Virginia Herd consists of approximately 130 head and is owned by the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Dept. The ponies graze in the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, located on the Virginia portion of Assateague Island. The Maryland Herd consists of approximately 140 Head and is owned by the Maryland Park Service.
While phenotypically horses, the Chincoteague is most often referred to as a pony breed. Chincoteagues average around 13.2 hands (54 inches, 137 cm) in their feral state, but grow to at least 14.2 hands (58 inches, 147 cm) when domesticated and provided better nutrition. They generally weigh around 850 pounds (390 kg). All solid colors are found in the breed, as are pinto patterns. Horses with pinto coloration tend to sell for the most money at the annual auction. Due to outside bloodlines being added to the Chincoteague herd, there is some variation in physical characteristics. In general, the breed tends to have a straight or slightly concave facial profile with a broad forehead and refined throatlatch and neck. The shoulders are well angled, the ribs well sprung, the chest broad and the back short with broad loins. The croup is rounded, with a thick, low-set tail. The breed's legs tend to be straight, with good, dense bone that makes them sound and sturdy. Domesticated Chincoteagues are considered intelligent and willing to please. They are viewed as easy to train, and are used as hunter, driving and trail ponies. In terms of health, they are generally hardy and easy keepers. In the late 19th century, one author praised their "good manners and gentle disposition" while reporting the story of one pony who was ridden a distance of around 1,000 miles (1,600 km) in 34 days by a man with equipment, a load that weighed around 160 pounds (73 kg) – the pony weighed approximately 500 pounds (230 kg).
Pony of the Americas
In 1954, Les Boomhower was a Shetland pony breeder and a lawyer with his own practice in Mason City, Iowa. A neighbor offered Les an Arabian/Appaloosa mare who had been bred to a Shetland stallion. She was due to foal that spring. Les waited until the foal was born before he bought the mare. The little colt born of this union was white with what looked like black paint smears all over his body.
What intrigued Les the most were the spots on the colt’s flank that formed a definite black hand. Another idea was forming in Les’ mind as he watched the colt he named Black Hand. He called his Shetland breeder friends to his Memory Lane Ranch to discuss his idea, and the Pony Of the Americas Club was born. Les’ expertise in the law set up a solid foundation for this new breed registry.
One of the most common colorations is a blanket pattern, which is characterized by white over the loin and hips with dark, round, g-shaped spots. These spots may vary in size from tiny specks to spots four or more inches in diameter. Others will show white over the hips without dark spots. This variation on the blanket pattern is known as snow-capped.
Some animals carry the spotting over their entire body, which is commonly referred to as a leopard pattern. Leopard ponies with sparsely spotted coats are appropriately termed few-spot leopards
In both blanket and leopard patterns, the spots may be darker in the middle with a lighter ring surrounding the spot. This unique look is called a halo.
Ponies that have white hairs mixed in with the base coat color are said to be roan. Often associated with this coat pattern variation are the descriptive terms red, blue and marbleized roans. Roan POAs often show varnish marks which are darker areas appearing most often on the upper legs, point of the hip, bridge of the nose, and on the cheek bones. These dark patches have smooth edges that gradually blend into the hair in the surrounding area.
The primary characteristic after the coat pattern is mottled skin. Mottled or parti-colored skin is unique to the Appaloosa and POA. Because of this, it is a decisive indicator of a POA. Different from commonly found pink skin (as found under blazes and stockings) mottled skin is a speckled or blotchy pattern of pigmented and non-pigmented skin.
Ponies are only registered with the Pony of the Americas club if they have Appaloosa coloring visible from 40 feet (12 m), otherwise known as "loud" Appaloosa coloring. The coloration includes the typical leopard complex characteristics of mottling around the eyes, muzzle and genitalia, as well as visible white sclera of the eyes and striped hooves. Pinto coloration is not allowed, nor is ancestry from a breed noted for pinto coloring, such as the American Paint Horse. The facial profile of the POA is slightly concave. It is a muscular breed, with a deep chest and well-sloped shoulders. The breed averages 11.2 to 14 hands (46 to 56 inches, 117 to 142 cm) high. Despite having the size and name "pony", the breed has the phenotype (physical characteristics) of a small horse of an American Quarter Horse/Arabian type, not a true pony breed
The Pony of the Americas Club will register the offspring of registered POAs, as well crosses with Connemaras, Galiceno ponies, Australian Stock Horses, Morgans and Thoroughbreds, and the original Appaloosa and Arabian breeds. These crosses are allowed into the registry as full members as long as they meet the physical breed requirements. Crosses with other breeds, including Quarter ponies, Shetland ponies, Anglo-Arabs, Spanish Mustangs and Welsh ponies, are accepted on an individual basis.
Dartmoor Pony
The native pony breed of the county of Devon in the South West of England. The ponies have been recorded living on the wild and unhospitable moors of Dartmoor since the Middle Ages. The ponies have the metabolism to prosper in the tough and uncompromising conditions they have to contend with. The ponies have an exceptional temperament and breeders have long realized their potential as children's ponies with the ability to make wonderful companions, give endless fun, and if required compete and succeed in all spheres of competition.
The Dartmoor Pony Society represents the Pedigree Dartmoor Pony. There are many ponies living on Dartmoor, all sizes and colours, most of unknown breeding. The true to type Dartmoor Pony with known breeding is recognized as a rare breed by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust and is typical of the ponies seen in the show ring at County Shows throughout the United Kingdom. If you require a pony for your children to ride or you wish to show it at whatever level you aspire to, be it your local show, County Show or to qualify for The Year of Horse Show or Olympia, it is the Pedigree Dartmoor Pony that you require.
The hieght must not Exceeding 127 cm. (12.2hh.)
Bay, brown, black, grey, chestnut, roan. Piebalds and Skewbalds are not allowed. Excessive white markings should be discouraged*. The head should be small with large kindly eyes and small alert ears. It should be well set on a good neck of medium length. The throat and jaws should be fine and showing no signs of coarseness or throatiness. Stallions to have a moderate crest.
Good shoulders are most important. They should be well laid back and sloping, but not too fine at the withers. Body should be of medium length and strong, well ribbed up with a good depth of girth giving plenty of heart room. Loin & Hindquarters should be strong and well covered with muscle. The hind quarters should be of medium length and neither level nor steeply sloping. The tail is well set up. The hocks should be well let down with plenty of length from hip to hock, clean cut and with plenty of bone below the hock. They should have a strong second thigh. They should not be 'sickled' or 'cow-hocked'.
The forelegs should not be tied in at the knee. The fore-arm should be muscular and relatively long and the knee fairly large and flat at the front. The cannons should be short with ample good, flat, flinty bone. The pasterns should be sloping but not too long. The feet should be hard and well shaped. Movements should be low and straight coming from the shoulder with good hock action but without exaggeration. The mane and tail should be full and flowing. The Dartmoor is a very good looking riding pony, sturdily built yet with quality.
The Fell Pony
Fell ponies are native to the North of England, and are mostly found in Cumbria, in the old counties of Cumberland and Westmorland, where probably they roamed from pre-historic times. By the Iron Age, equines were in relatively common use in Britain. They averaged 12.1 hh in height and resembled the modern Exmoor breed in terms of overall build. By the later part of the Roman occupation, somewhat later than the improvements in other domestic species, the average height of British ponies had increased to around 13 hh.
The Fell is an ideal all-round family pony suitable for both adults and children. As a hack and general riding pony, the Fell's fast walk and easy paces make it a pleasant and comfortable ride, and its sure footedness ensures a safe passage over the roughest country. The Riding for the Disabled movement employs a number as mounts. It is possible to ride a Fell pony through places where other lighter bred ponies would come to grief and Fells seem to have a sixth sense which alerts them to possible danger. They appear to know which is the soundest track through soft marshy ground or the safest descent of a rocky hillside.
Should not be exceeding 14 hands (142.2 cms).
Black, brown, bay and grey. Chesnuts, piebalds and skewbalds are debarred. A star and/or a little white on or below the hind fetlock is acceptable. An excess of white markings is discouraged, but such ponies are eligible for registration. Head should be small, well chiselled in outline, well set on, forehead broad, tapering to nose.
Throat and jaw are fine, showing no signs of throatiness nor coarseness. Neck of proportionate length, giving good length of rein, strong and not too heavy, moderate crest in case of stallion. Most important, well laid back and sloping, not too fine at withers, nor loaded at the points - a good long shoulder blade, muscles well developed. Good strong back of good outline, muscular loins, deep carcase, thick through heart, round ribbed from shoulders to flank, short and well coupled, hind quarters square and strong with tail well set on. Feet of good size, round and well formed, open at heels with the characteristic blue horn, fair sloping pasterns not too long, forelegs should be straight, well placed not tied at elbows, big well formed knees, short cannon bone, plenty of good flat bone below knee (eight inches at least), great muscularity of arm.
Good thighs and second thighs, very muscular, hocks well let down and clean cut, plenty of bone below joint, hocks should not be sickle nor cow-hocked. Plenty of fine hair at heels (coarse hair objectionable), all the fine hair except that at point of heel may be cast in summer. Mane and tail are left to grow long. Walk, smart and true. Trot well balanced all round, with good knee and hock action, going well from the shoulder and flexing the hocks, not going too wide nor near behind. Should show great pace and endurance, bringing the hind legs well under the body when going. The Fell Pony should be constitutionally as hard as iron and show good pony characteristics with the unmistakable appearance of hardiness peculiar to mountain ponies, and at the same time, have a lively and alert appearance and great bone.
The Exmoor Pony
The ancestors of all our native pony breeds came overland from Alaska approximately 130,000 years ago and became widely distributed throughout what is now the British Isles. Dramatic climate changes about 9,600 years ago began to restrict the amount of open grazing, mainly to mountain and moorland areas of Britain, thus herds became isolated on the uplands and the British Hill Pony developed as a result.
First domesticated by the Celts, these herds of ponies can trace their history largely through their first contact with Man. From the Doomsday Book onwards there is little written evidence of the Exmoor Pony but records from the 1500's onwards reveal that the equine population of the moor varied in numbers rising to as many as a thousand at times. The moors, as part of the Royal Forest were controlled by wardens who ran native stallions there but it is known that non-Exmoor mares were sometimes allowed to roam with these herds.
There is little variation between adult Exmoor Ponies although they naturally range from about 11½ hands to 13½ hands, the majority are 12 - 12.2 hands. The ponies are very stocky and strong, with deep chests and large girths. The large capacity of the digestive system is important in winter as they consume large quantities of rough material which provides them with internal warmth.
Their colouring falls within a limited range of bay, brown on dun, with black points (with no white markings) and as such they blend in very well against their native background of heather, grass and bracken. They should have mealy markings on the muzzle and around the eyes.
The prominent flesh around the eyes provides a defence system against harsh weather, and is knows as a 'toad eye'. The ponies have neat, hard feet with a slate-grey sole, making them well suited to coping with rough terrain. Their legs are short, straight and set apart, and their action is straight and smooth - not as exaggerated an action as some breeds.
A good Exmoor pony will have well laid back shoulders and a deep chest. The ribs should be long, deep, well-sprung and wide apart, with a broad back and level across the loins. In summer their coat is close, hard and bright, but to withstand the cold, harsh Exmoor winter they grow a coat in two layers which provides them, in effect, with thermal underwear and a raincoat! The hairs next to the skin are quite fine in texture and form a layer of insulation. The outer hairs are coarser and greasy giving waterproof protection. That this system is highly efficient is best demonstrated by the phenomenon of snow thatching: snow collects on top of the ponies coat as insufficient body heat is lost to melt it; and the snow can be periodically shaken off.
The tail is neatly set in and the fan of short hairs near the root of the tail is called a snow chute. The mane, forelock and tail are thick and full, and also shed water efficiently.
The Exmoor pony, like all wild ponies has developed in response to its environment and because it has lived and evolved in such a relatively small area over such a long period, must be one of the purest examples of equines in existence today.
Dales Pony
For generations, they were a common sight, hauling ploughs and bales of hay, and carrying heavy loads of lead across the countryside. Strong and sure-footed, Dales ponies were integral to much of rural northern England.
One man who knows more than most about Teesdale’s native breed is David Eccles, who has completed an undefeated season showing his pony, Westwick Heather, across the region. It represents perhaps the best year yet for Mr Eccles, who farms at Hardberry Hill, near Middleton-in-Teesdale, with his wife, Alison.
He began breeding the ponies 30 years ago, armed with a knowledge that has been passed down through the generations. Mr Eccles names Leaman Wall as one of those who passed their knowledge on to him. “I used to help out at Leaman Wall’s farm in Lartington” he said “He had two or three ponies, he saw I was keen, and I started showing them. I bought one from him and that’s how I started. I sold that first pony and worked my way up from there, always trying to better myself. I’m still trying to better myself now, and that’s the secret – I’m always trying to improve.”
These very hardy ponies are ideally 14.h.h. to 14.2.h.h. Colours are predominantly black, with some brown, bay grey and, rarely, roan. White markings are allowed as a star and/or a snip, and white to the hind fetlocks, and ponies displaying more white than this are down graded to Section B. Dales Ponies are renowned for the quality of their hard, well-shaped feet and legs, which should display beautiful dense, flat bone. Their action is straight, high and true. They are good movers, really using their knees and hocks for powerful drive. They have tremendous stamina, an iron constitution, high courage and great intelligence, combined with a calm temperament. The head should be neat, showing no dish, and broad between the eyes. The muzzle is relatively small, no coarseness about the jaw and throat, and incurving pony ears. A long foretop, main and tail of straight, silky hair, and a muscular neck of ample length for a bold outlook should be set into well-laid, sloping shoulders. Withers not too fine. Stallions carry a well-arched crest. The body should be short-coupled, with strong loins and well-sprung ribs. Short, well- developed forearms are set into a broad chest. Quarters are lengthy and powerful, with very muscular second thighs above clean, broad, flat hocks, well let down. The cannons should display an average of 8” to 9” of flat, flinty bone with well-developed tendons. The pasterns should be of good length, with very flexible joints; the hooves large, round and open at the heels with well-developed frogs, and with ample straight, silky feather.
The Highland Pony
Its strength, sure-footedness and equable temperament made it an invaluable workhorse for the crofters of Scotland who used the Highland as a multi-purpose animal - for ploughing, forestry, riding and haulage. The sporting estates found the Highland useful for bringing deer and game from the hill and many modern day estates have reverted to the ponies as being more environmentally friendly than 4x4 vehicles. In the First World War, the Lovat Scouts used Highlands as army mounts and they were also used by the military in the Boer War. With the advent of pony trekking in Scotland in 1955, the Highland came into its own and the breed became more widely known. Nowadays, the Highland makes an excellent family pony, as it is a good all-rounder and will turn a hoof to riding, driving, dressage, jumping, cross country and long distance riding as well as being extensively used for RDA (Riding for the Disabled) work. Highlands are able to carry an adult of up to 15 stones in weight. In the Mountain and Moorland Ridden Pony of the Year at Olympia, Highlands were champion and reserve in 1999.
The Highland Pony is a non genetically modified pony! It is descended from the primitive ponies of Scotland and there is no subjective assessment of breeding stock. (There is however a Highland Pony Society Premium Stallion Parade, where willing owners can subject their stallions to the scrutiny of three inspectors in the hope of being awarded premium).
Not to exceed lower or higher than 13hh to 14.2hh (132cms - 148cms). Head is well-carried and alert with a kindly eye. Broad-muzzled with a deep jowl. Neck and shoulders are at reasonable length of neck going from wither with a good sloping shoulder and well-placed forearm. Body is well-balanced and compact with deep chest and plenty of room for heart and lungs. Ribs well sprung. Quarters and hindlegs: powerful quarters with well-developed thigh, strong second thigh and clean flat hocks. Flat hard bone, broad knees, short cannon bones, oblique pasterns and well-shaped broad dark hoofs. Feather hair at back of legs soft and silky. Hair should be natural, flowing and untrimmed with a full tail.
A range of duns - mouse, yellow, grey, cream. Also grey, brown, black, bay and occasionally liver chestnut with silver mane and tail. Many ponies have a dorsal stripe and some show zebra markings on legs. Shoulder stripe often present. A small star is acceptable but other white markings are discouraged. Foal coat often changes and many ponies change colour gradually as they grow older, especially those with grey hairs interspersed with the original colour. Others show a slight seasonal change in colour between winter and summer coats. Broken colours are not allowed. Stallions with white markings other than a small star are NOT eligible for licensing. Action is straight and free moving without undue knee action. A ride, drive and pack animal and can adapt to many equestrian disciplines.
German Riding Pony
The German Riding Pony is a unique pony breed that developed in more than Germany forty years ago due to the need for a large pony with the athleticism and temperament for children to compete with at a national and international level. Specifically, the German Riding Pony (GRP) was bred to be a competitive pony in the disciplines of dressage, show jumping, and eventing. English pony breeds, particularly type B Welsh, were crossed with smaller Warmbloods, Thoroughbreds and Arabians with the goal of obtaining a smaller version of the German Warmblood. Within ten years, the German Riding Pony type was showing good results in competition and breeding. As with full size warmblood breeding, registries developed in each region of the country and animals were inspected as foals and breeding stock at keurings or inspections.
The breed standard for these ponies include a small head, large eyes, small ears, clean throatlatch, a long neck set well on the body with a pronounced wither and a long croup. They are bred for horse-like movement that is correct, rhythmic, and elastic with a large stride, expressive gaits and clear impulsion from the hindquarters. The goal is a pony between 13.2 and 14.2 hands (138cm-148cm as measured in Germany)but of course many ponies go over size and there is a robust market for these small horses in Germany as well. These ponies should closely resemble a small horse in thier proportions and movement, and many people consider them a smaller version of a warmblood horse. However, the best German Riding Pony should combine warmblood talent and movement with pony character, charm, and intellegance.
Eriskay Pony
Modern Eriskay ponies are the last surviving remnants of the original native ponies of the Western Isles of Scotland. They have ancient Celtic and Norse connections and Eriskays have been proven by measurement to be of similar proportions to those found on ancient Pictish stones throughout the North and West of Scotland.
Until the middle of the 19th Century ponies of the “Western Isles type” were found throughout the islands and used as crofters ponies, undertaking everyday tasks such as bringing home peat and seaweed in basket work creels slung over their backs, pulling carts, harrowing and even taking the children to school.
The Eriskay Pony stands 124-138cm (12.0-13.2 hands) high. In winter a dense waterproof coat enables them to live out in the harshest conditions. The predominant colour is grey with the occasional black or bay - no other colours normally occur but other whole colours are acceptable. Their legs are fine, with only a small tuft of hair at the fetlock. Their enjoyment of human company makes them ideal back door ponies, as they were on crofts. Foals are born black or bay and usually turn grey as they mature, a few individuals reamin black or bay into adulthood. Eriskay Ponies are immensely strong for their size and are able to carry a light adult with ease.
Today, Eriskay Ponies can be seen competing in all spheres of equestrianism. Members of the Eriskay Pony Society regularly take part in activities such as hunting, dressage, show jumping, show hunter, cross country, pony club eventing, team games, western riding and driving. Although they stand between 12.0 and 13.2hh they are strong for their size, have terrific stamina and can carry a light adult with ease. They also make excellent driving ponies, Lesley Cox from Cheshire has had tremendous success with her tandem driving ponies, competing at FEI level and winning regularly.
Other Eriskays make excellent family ponies, with their human friendly characteristics coming to the fore playing football in the garden with the kids, or working with special needs children as RDA ponies.
Hackney Pony
The evolution of the Hackney Pony as distinct from the Hackney Horse occurred in the latter half of the 19th Century when a Mr. Wilson of Westmoreland set out to breed a Hackney pony. He wanted not just a undersized Hackney horse but an animal with distinct pony character. He brought mainly Fell brood mares and also experimented with a Welsh pony cross. His chosen foundation stallion was a brown stallion called Sir George, an animal with outstanding looks, presence and action, standing just under 14hh. Mr. Wilson believed in maintaining the hardiness of these ponies and to some extent restricted their height by leaving them to fend for themselves over winter out on the moors. The "Wilson Pony" was a success and many other breeders began emulating his work. The War years brought about The War years brought about the same mixed fortunes for the Hackney Pony as for the Hackney Horse but after the Second World War they too began to be bred primarily for the Showring, which is now the natural home for these effervescent equines. They excel at all forms of Driving competitions, enjoying all the attributes of their larger cousins, yet still having that indefinable quality of pony character that makes them such fun.
The Hackney pony is expected to show distinct pony characteristics, such as small and neat ears; eyes bright, bold and alert; muzzle fine and reasonably small. The body of a Hackney pony can be somewhat more compact than that of the horse, but the general conformation is similar. A height at maturity from 12.2 to 14 hands is characteristic of the breed.
When standing, the Hackney should have its head and neck raised, expressing the alert and active character of the breed. The head should have a straight or slightly convex profile with clear, intelligent eyes set fairly wide apart; the ears should be well-formed and active. The neck should be of moderate length, with more or less crest according to age and sex. The poll should be of good length. The throat should be fine so that there is no restriction of the air passages when bridling. The neck should be well attached to reasonably high withers set on powerful, obliquely sloping shoulders. The body should be of adequate length with well-sprung ribs and of a good depth. A fairly long back is not objectionable in a mare. The upper line of the croup from the loins to the tail should form a convex curve with the tail well carried. Viewed from the front, the chest should be of ample but not excessive width, while from the rear the quarters and gaskins must be well muscled. The legs should have plenty of clean, flat bone with the tendons clearly defined. Excessive fineness of bone, especially any tendency to be “tied in below the knee,” is objectionable in the Hackney. The forelegs should be attached well forward, beneath the point of the shoulder. The forearms should be long and well developed while the cannon bones should be short and clean with plenty of good, flat bone. The pasterns should be sufficiently long and set at the proper oblique angle to provide a light and springy step. From the side the forelegs should not show any tendency to be “back or over at the knees.” From the front they should be seen to be upright without any turning out or in of the pasterns. The hind legs should be of good length from the stifles to the hocks with short cannon bones. The hocks should be well formed and not be too upright when the horse is standing at ease. The hooves should be well rounded, in front forming an angle of about 50 degrees with the ground at the toe. The hind hooves will form a rather more upright angle. The hooves should be open at the heels and have concave soles.
Newfoundland Pony
Over many generations, the Newfoundland pony has been a key part of family life in countless communities all over the province of Newfoundland and Labrador. In recent years many have found new homes across Canada and in parts of USA. Those who are lucky enough to own one, find it to be a rare treasure.
The pony owes its origins to the earliest settlers who brought a variety of mountain and moorland ponies from Europe to this province as an essential ingredient in taming this rugged land and in meeting the many challenges of survival.
The Newfoundland pony as we know it today is a distinct breed that evolved over time from the interbreeding of these original herds of ponies, that when they were not being worked, were allowed to run wild over the provincial landscape. And so this hardy, gentle, loyal and lovable pony is a true example of a landrace animal that bred and evolved naturally without any human interference until modern times.
Has a good temperament, is docile and easy to work with; Is a good winter animal, being all around hardy; Is sure-footed; Has a structure that can vary from fine-boned types to larger stocky types; Has a height that can vary from 11.0 to 14.2 hands; Has a coat colour of bay, black, brown, chestnut, dun, grey, roan and white (pink skin). Piebalds and skewbalds (pintos) are not acceptable; Has a heavy coat which sometimes changes colour and character seasonally; Has a thick mane and tail; Has a low set of tail; Has feathered fetlocks with hair extending below fetlock points; Has flint hard hooves; Typically have dark limb points. White or light colour on limbs is acceptable; Is free of defects which might endanger the ability to live a normal, healthy life.
Kerry Bog Pony
Recent nuclear and mitochondrial DNA studies indicate that genetically the Kerry Bog Pony is closer to the Welsh pony than to its geographically closest neighbour, the Connemara pony. The KBP is more closely related to the Northern European breeds such as the Icelandic and Shetland pony breeds, which would suggest that its origins lay in Northern Europe as opposed to Southern Europe.
In the Bodleian Library (Oxford, England) there is a book depicting "Part of an Irish Procession at Stuttgart in 1617". The morphology of the equines portrayed and their height compared to the adult humans shown, suggest that these may have been ponies of the type known now as Kerry Bog Ponies or formerly as Irish Hobbies.
This is a small pony evolved as such because of its use as a draught animal in the bogs of Kerry over the centuries. Thus, the height of the Kerry Bog pony is 11- 12 Hands High for Stallions and Geldings and 10 to 11 HH for Mares.
Any strong whole colour is to be found, but colour is generally brown or brownish black and bay. Some chestnut, grey and dun colours are also to be found. The coat of the KBP is long and dense and easily capable of withstanding harsh winter conditions without shelter. The head is pleasant plain and of average size and rather dish-faced. Ears are small and pointed. Nostrils allow large air intake relative to body size. The jaw is strong and well formed with excellent dentition to facilitate grazing on heath, gorse and heather. Neck is strong and medium length. The shoulder is rounded and muscular. The body is strong and compact. The chest is deep with well-sprung ribs and good girth. Loins are powerful and the hindquarters are strong and well-formed. The tail is full, abundant and well set and well carried.
Forelegs are strong and muscular with a strong forearm. Hindlegs are muscular and powerful. The cannon bone is short with flat hard bone of good size. Pasterns are short and the hooves upright and wide open and well formed of hard horn requiring very little trimming. The KBP is a powerful pony with good bone and great weight and strength relative to its size. This together with its excellent conformation gives the pony a lovely straight and level action with good balance. This intelligent pony is sure footed and well capable of thinking for itself in the soft underfoot conditions of Kerry bogs.
This pony, while kind, sensible and confident and well mannered also possesses great courage and endurance. Viciousness or nervousness have been bred out of the KBP at a much earlier stage. Soundness is also a feature of the KBP; hereditary unsoundness is extremely rare and because of the pony's innate strength and toughness it scarcely ever develops any unsoundness. The animal's constitution is also first class, beig possessed of large heart and lung room which in turn enables it to thrive well in spite of harsh weather or other difficulties. The excellent temperament of the pony allows it to be easily trained to harness or saddle and it can be easily worked as a children's riding pony.
Australian Pony
The history of this breed dates back to the early 19th century when the first settlers arrived with horses & ponies to work the land. By the early 20th century, crossbreeding of the imported animals had created many solid pony types. In 1931 the Australian Pony Stud Book Society was formed to establish & document a standard of type. The stud book contains the records of many different pony breeds & the Australian pony section encompassed the British mountain & Moorland pony breeds along with stock bred in Australia.
The Australian Pony stands between 11 and 14 hands high (44 to 56 inches (112 to 142 cm)). It strongly shows the refining Welsh Mountain Pony influence. The head is distinctly 'pony', full of show quality, with alert ears and large, dark eyes. The neck is relatively short but well-set and nicely rounded, the shoulders slope well back and the hindquarters are well rounded and proportioned. The tail should be well set on and gaily carried. The chest is deep, the barrel is round. The legs are short and strong, with flat, dense bone. The overall impression is a very attractive pony showing quality. Most representatives on the breed are grey, although they may be any color.
Dülmen Pony
The Dülmen Pony is the only remaining pony of German origin that has always lived in completely natural conditions. Mother Nature has formed this breed, not mankind. That alone makes them rare in the world of horse breeds which have almost always been shaped by our needs. The bloodlines of this breed date back more than 600 years in Westphalia, Germany where there have always been pockets of land for them to roam. As time marched on, their territories were shaped by the growth of man, until the mid 19th century when the Duke of Croy had them rounded up and taken to a place of refuge.
Over the years this breed has thrived on the land they have been given and survive without the interference of people (unless winter conditions become too bleak). These hard living conditions have created a hardy & robust animal. It is thought that the gruel coloring in the Dülmen indicates Tarpan influence, however they are lacking other primitive characteristics that typify wild horses.
On the last Saturday in May the herd is rounded up every year and male yearlings are captured and auctioned. Mares are not sold, they are born and laid to rest on the wildbahn.
The Dülmen Ponies come in several colors such as Grullo or mouse-grey, brown, black, and chestnut. Some have heavy manes, but these are said to be the ones who have been domesticated. The average height of a Dülmen Pony ranges from 12 to 13 hands (48-52 inches, 122-132 centimeters). The Dülmen Pony is a hardy and self-reliant horse that has great stamina. It is intelligent and once tamed, good-natured and obedient.
The Pottock Pony
The Pottok is a breed of pony that is native to the Pyrenees in France and in Spain. It is an ancient breed that has adapted to the harsh mountain environment it inhabits. The Pottok is considered to be an endangered breed as of 1995, from habitat destruction, mechanization and crossbreeding. It is considered to be an iconic breed of the local people and efforts are being implemented to protect the Pottok’s future. Currently there are only around 150 purebred mares north of the Pyrenees.
Other names for the breed is the Basque Pony and Pottoka in the Basque language. Although there are many claimed origins of the Pottok, scientifically the breed has lived for several thousand years in the area. It is genetically similar to other breeds like the Asturcon, Losino, Galician, Landais and Monchino horses. However, genetic testing has shown that the Northern Pottok and Southern Pottok are considerably different, leading some to believe them to be separate breeds.
Some claim the Pottok to be a descendant of the Magdalenian horse depicted on cave paintings from 14,000 to 70,000 BC. Others state it derived from the Bronze age, but neither claim has been scientifically proven. The test indicate that the Pottok most likely to be descended from the Basque Mountain Horse.
The Pottok stands between 45 and 57 inches tall and weighs between 661 to 772 pounds. Its head is large and square with small ears. The neck is short, it has a long back with short slender legs and small sturdy hooves. In the winter, the coat of the Pottok can be 3.9 inches thick on young ponies and range in color from bay to shades of brown and black. Some Pottoks have appeared with pinto coloration beginning around the 1850s. The difference between the mountain herds and the valley herds is that the mountain herds are typically smaller, ranging in height from 45 inches to 52 inches.
The Pottok tend to be shy and live in small herds. A unique quality is they are able to predict severe weather conditions and the herd will move into the valleys in bad weather. In autumn the herd will disperse into smaller groups of five to ten and re-unite in the spring. Fillies will become fertile at two years and usually mate at three and give birth at four years old. There is an eleven month gestation period and the foal will be born in spring or early summer and are weaned in six to seven months.
Smugglers used the breed because of their coloration and adaptation to mountain life in the early years. From the 1500s on they were used as pit ponies and were popular in the circus. Today, they are easily domesticated and used by children as pets and to ride.
Hucul Pony
The Hucul or Carpathian Pony is one of the oldest breeds of native ponies in Europe, resembling in appearance the wild Tarpan horse. The Hucul is heavily built with a compact body. The head is short, with expressive large eyes and lively ears. The neck is short and muscular and the back is strong. The chest is broad and the legs are short. The hooves are small and hard and do not require shoes. The coat is thick and coarse.
The pony originated in the Carpathian mountains, near Poland, Romania and Slovakia. The breed got its name from the ethnic group of Hutsuls, although it should be noted that the breed is much older than the Hutsul people. The Hucul dates to the thirteenth century and is believed to be the outcome of a crossing between the wild Tarpan horse and Mongolian horses. In 1856 the first Hucul stud farm was founded in Romania. In 1922, thirty-three Huculs were sent to Czechoslovakia to establish a herd there. Today Huculs are mainly bred in Bucovina, Romania as well as Hungary and part of the former Soviet Union. In recent years the breed has started gaining popularity in England.
It is a strong and hardy breed, resistant to illness and has no problem living outdoors all year round finding its own food. As it is a descendant of the wild Tarpan horse, the outdoors is its natural living environment, so Hucul owners that keep their ponies indoors should make sure to grant them frequent outdoor access.
The Hucul is widely used as a working pony on farms in Poland. It is a hardy breed capable of working long hours. It is occasionally used for riding. Other activities the Hucul is used for include Hippotherapy (riding for the disabled), horse trekking, camping and ecological education. The Hucul was used and bred by various people along the Carpathians. As a result, different types of Huculs were developed. In the last century they have been cross bred with Arab horses. Huculs live on average 25-30 years.
The Hucul is docile pony with a trusting nature. It is sensible, willing to work, hardy and enduring of the harshest weather conditions. It is also very intelligent. The most common colors Huculs come in are black, chestnut, bay and dun while there might sometimes be a dorsal stripe or zebra markings on the legs. They stand between 12.1 and 13.1 hands.
French Saddle Pony
The French Saddle Pony which is also known by its French name, “Poney Français de Selle” is a typical riding pony. It is one of the most common saddle ponies in France. The French Saddle pony is developed from cross-breeding purebreds like pure French mares with Arab or Welsh horses. The breeders have been creating new ways to improve native ponies into a strong saddle pony. These animals have been designed to become superb riding ponies in schools for children. They are excellent at galloping and jumping, holding their riders even when moving at great speed.
The French Saddle pony is a horse filled with strength, discipline and determination. These horses are very submissive, and that’s why they are used in horse competitions. They have the ability to combine agility with elegance, creating a harmonious relationship between the rider and the horse. This breed is a typical saddle pony. It can be seen in gray, bay, chestnut brown and black. These horses have a small head with a straight outline. They have bright eyes; the ears are complementary to the outline of the face; the neck is well-defined and their withers are distinct. The breed has an erect back and an inclined croup. The chest is broad and a bit deeper than most, while the shoulders are quite curved and extended. The legs are sturdy with flexible joints and the hooves are hard and well-formed. It is a small pony which stands 12.1 to 14.2 hands high (48.4-56.8 inches, 123-144 centimeters).
The American Walking Pony
The American Walking Pony is a seven-gaited riding pony that is common in the United States. A result of the mating between a full-size horse and a pony-sized horse, it is often entered in horse shows and competitions. The American Walking Pony is a breed that has come as a result of many years of extensive breeding experiments. The final -- and the best -- American Walking Pony stock was derived from a cross between the Tennessee Walking Horse and the Welsh Pony.
According to the current standards for this breed, any pony that is a result of this particular cross, regardless of the specific lineage of the sire and dam, can be registered as an American Walking Pony. To complete the registration a horse’s records must be submitted to the American Walking Pony Association, a registry established by Joan Hudson Brown in 1968 for the express purpose of documenting and preserving the American Walking Pony breed. However, when there is a large pool of horses that can be used for breeding purposes, this registry enforces stricter standards and accepts only those whose sire and dam are both registered with the association.
This is a good show-horse precisely because of its great ability to learn, understand, and obey the trainer’s commands and instructions. The American Walking Pony exhibits the mix of characteristics that it got from its ancestors. From the Tennessee Walking Horse, the American Walking Pony got its naturally smooth and fluid gait. From the Welsh Pony, it got its muscular, highly-arched, long neck, and the beautifully-formed and proportioned Arab-like head. Its eyes are set at a good distance from one another; the whites of the eyes often show. Its ears are well-formed and pointed, its shoulders are long and gracefully-sloping, its back is short, its chest is wide, its pasterns are sloping and of medium length, and its tail is straight. It is, at most, 14 hands (56 inches, 142 centimeters) in height. It comes in almost all colors.
The American Walking Pony has a very light and fluid gait. In all, it has seven different gaits. Aside from the common gaits (e.g., trotting), it also has a few tricks of its own including its unique gait repertoire: the canter, the Pleasure Walk and the Merry Walk. The American Walking Pony’s canter is distinctly smooth and relaxed. The four-beat Pleasure Walk is faster than a normal walk and involves some distinct head movements. The four-beat Merry Walk, on the other hand, also involves some head movements but is faster than the Pleasure Walk.
Its characteristics and its pleasant physical attributes make the American Walking Pony a favorite mount in driving classes. It also shows great jumping ability and makes a good pony hunter.
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Once your pony/s has been accepted into the registery a profile for your establishment will be set up along with PM/s of a certified breed registration stamp, that you can use on your website and will have a number linked to the official registration number of your horse. example below: