Bali Pony
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| Country of origin | Indonesia |
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The Bali pony is an ancient breed now living on the Indonesian island of Bali.
Characteristics
The Bali ponies are quite hardy and self-sufficient, surviving with little outside care.[citation needed] They are tough animals that are not shod and are remarkably sound, with hard feet, and strong legs.[1] The ponies show the usual "primitive markings" such as a dorsal stripe, shoulder bars, and zebra stripes on the legs, in addition to their dun coat, that includes a black mane, tail, and legs.[2]
The ponies lack the traditionally "pretty" conformation,[citation needed] having a large and unrefined head,[1] and upright shoulder that produces short and choppy strides.[citation needed] The chest and back are narrow, although the neck is usually of a good length.[citation needed] The ponies usually range from 12–13 hands (48–52 inches, 122–132 cm).[2] Both the conformation and the coloration produce a pony that looks similar to the Przewalski's Horse.
Breed history
It is possible that ancient stocks were brought to Indonesia by the Chinese Tang dynasty in the 7th century, recorded as being given to Dja-va (Kalingga kingdom), Dva-ha-la, and Dva-pa-tan (Bali). Mongolian horses are probably captured during the Mongol invasion of Java (1293). If this true, the Java pony would owe much of its roots to the Mongolian horse as well as horses obtained from other areas of western Asia like India and Turkmenistan.[3]: 14 [4]: 60 [5]
In addition to the Mongolian horse, it is known that some Indian stock were taken to Indonesia (although it is unknown exactly which breeds),[1] and the Dutch also brought various eastern breeds to the country during the 18th century. Therefore, the Bali pony likely has been influenced by both the Mongolian horse, and various other eastern breeds.
Uses
The Bali pony has not been selectively bred for any particular set of characteristics. However, they easily perform the tasks required by the native people, including carting coral and stones from the beach. Their strength has also made them a popular mount for trekking and sightseeing tourists.[2]
Citations
- ^ a b c Kentucky Horse Park. "Bali". Horse Breeds of the World. International Museum of the Horse. Archived from the original on 24 November 2010. Retrieved 10 November 2010.
- ^ a b c Bongianni Simon & Schuster's Guide to Horses & Ponies of the World entry 127
- ^ Groeneveldt, Willem Pieter (1876). "Notes on the Malay Archipelago and Malacca, Compiled from Chinese Sources". Batavia: W. Bruining.
- ^ Hendricks, Bonnie L. (1995). International Encyclopedia of Horse Breeds. University of Oklahoma Press.
- ^ Kentucky Horse Park. "Bali". Horse Breeds of the World. International Museum of the Horse. Archived from the original on 24 November 2010. Retrieved 10 November 2010.
References
- Bongianni, Maurizio (1987). Simon & Schuster's Guide to Horses and Ponies. New York: Fireside. ISBN 0-671-66068-3.