Basque Pony
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The tough, small Basque has roamed wild for centuries in France. But it has shown a remarkable ability to adapt to a domestic life and be a good riding pony.
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[edit] History
This ancient breed, which exhibits a number of primitive features, still roams free in the mountains of the Pyrenees and Atlantic cantons of France. Basque ponies have owners, and they are rounded up periodically, traditionally on the last Wednesday of January, to be branded and released again or sold at the local markets. To live in these hilly, spartan regions, Basque ponies must be tough. Survival of foals is aided by rapid growth to maturity: they reach theur adult size when only 1 to 2 years old.
Earlier last century, these small ponies were used in French and British mines as pit ponies. Today, they are in demand as children's ponies because they adapt well to domestication. To improve them for this latter purpose, some have had Arab and Welsh Pony blood added. But the French are taking steps to safeguard the continued purity of this ancient breed, which now numbers between 2,500 and 3,000 purebred Basque ponies.
[edit] Breed Characteristics
The Basque Pony has a small body and a large head, which has a basically rectangular profile with a slight depression at the level of the eys. The ears are short, and the eyes small and lively. The neck is short, with a thick mane. The back is long. The legs are strong and the feet are small and hard. They usually stand between 11.2 and 13 hands high and come in all colours.
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- (French) French National Pottok Association (in French)
- (French) Pottok.com (in French)
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