Pindos Pony
 | |
| Distinguishing features | Long head and limbs, light frame |
|---|---|
| Alternative names | Pindhosor Thessalonian |
| Country of origin | Greece |
| Equus ferus caballus | |
The Pindos pony (Greek αλογάκι της Πίνδου) is a pony native to the Pindus mountain range in Thessaly and Epirus, Greece. It is also known as the Thessalonian.
History
The Pindos pony is now probably somewhat different from its ancestors, who are believed to have been largely oriental types and horses brought from the Scythian people, who were well known for their horsemanship. The Pindos pony is probably a direct descendant of the old Thessalonian breed which was developed by the Greeks and was noted for its courage and beauty.
Breed Characteristics
They are typically very sure-footed and are still used to perform many of the tasks around the local people's small holdings. These may range from agricultural work, ploughing the land, working in harness to transport goods, as a pack pony, and also for riding. They have great endurance and stamina and have an extremely sound constitution. The ponies are frugal and can live on minimal rations, are extremely long lived and have very sound legs and feet, rarely going lame. Pindos mares are often used to breed a good stamp of working mule.
In appearance, the Pindos has a rather coarse head with an unattractive small eye. The neck and back are of reasonably length. They are light and narrow through the frame, with poor and underdeveloped quarters, and a high-set tail of seemingly oriental influence. The legs are fine in bone, with small joints, but they are strong and the hooves are very tough. The Pindos has a reputation for being difficult and stubborn. The coat colours are mostly dark, such as bay, black and grey and they stand at up to 13 hands high.
See also
External links & sources
Print sources
- Springate, Lynda (1998) [1997]. "Twenty-five: Principal Pony Breeds of the World". The Encyclopedia of the Horse (reprint ed.). New York: Crescent Books. p. 205, s.v. "Pindos Pony". ISBN 0-517-18461-3.