Eriskay Pony
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| Eriskay Pony | ||
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 An Eriskay pony on Holy Isle, Firth of Clyde |
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| Distinguishing features: | Dense, Waterproof coat, large head. | |
| Country of origin: | Outer Hebrides, Scotland | |
| Breed standards | ||
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Eriskay pony. A rare breed of pony from the Isle of Eriskay of the Outer Hebrides in northern Scotland. Their numbers have in the past dropped to almost nothing with there being fewer than 20 mares and no known stallions.
Eriskay ponies are usually born black or bay and typically turn grey as they mature, though a few have remained black or bay into adulthood. Some other colours occur, but these are rare. No Eriskay ponies are piebald or skewbald. Their coat is dense, waterproof, and of medium length and they have a little, light feathering on their legs. Their tails are fairly low set for defence against the weather and they have large heads (cob to horse size) which has been suggested to allow the cold air to heat up as it enters their bodies. They stand between 12.0 and 13.2 hands high (1.2 to 1.32 metres).
Eriskays are inherently friendly as they were, in the past, mainly worked with by the island's women and children, carrying peat in double, panniers across their backs. They are extremely hardy, living outdoors all winter with no need for rugs or hard feed (in fact they often do better off straw than hay). They are enormously versatile ponies and have been successful in many types of work such as children's competition or fun ponies, driving, games, dressage, etc.
The future of the Eriskay pony is fragile. This is not helped by the fact that the two Eriskay Pony Societies do not work together. The Eriskay Pony Society obtained registration under EU and UK law in 1995, The Eriskay Pony (Mother Society) - Comann Each nan Eilean obtained recoginition in 2001. The two societies were originally one, but split for a number of reasons.
The Eriskay Pony Society operates throughout the UK, including the Western Isles, and is by far the larger of the two societies with over 400 registered ponies. It is recognised by and works with the Rare Breeds Survival Trust and the Scottish Equine Breeders Association. It promotes breed shows in Scotland and England, and promotes Eriskay classes at the Royal Highland Show and other prominent shows. It encourages it's members to compete in many different spheres (the current English Tandem Driving Championship is held by a team of Eriskays driven by Eriskay Pony Society members) both offereing practical advice and through competitions for performance trophies. The Eriskay Pony Society also supports its members by providing breeding advice and by ensuring access to appropriate stallions.
The Eriskay Pony (Mother Society) - Comann Each nan Eilean focusses purely on breeding ponies in the Western Isles, in which it offers its members considerable support.
[edit] External links
- Rare Breeds Survival Trust
- Eriskay Pony Society
- The Eriskay Pony (Mother Society) - Comann Each nan Eilean
- British Horse Society page on the Eriskay
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