Eriskay Pony
 | This article includes a list of references, related reading, or external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks inline citations. (June 2008) |
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 An Eriskay pony on Holy Isle, Firth of Clyde | |
| Country of origin | Outer Hebrides, Scotland |
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| Traits | |
| Distinguishing features | Dense, Waterproof coat, large head. |
The Eriskay pony is a rare breed of pony, of a type that was once common across the Western Isles of [[Scotland. As agriculture expanded larger breeds were favoured, and this trend was actively promoted by government agencies who supplied mainland stallions of larger breeds to the islanders. Ultimately, the last remnant herd was the population on Eriskay as no stallions from other breeds had been introduced to the island, and it is thus from that island that the breed takes its name. The Association for the Preservation and Development of the Eriskay Pony was founded in Eriskay in 1972 to save the breed.
The Eriskay Pony is a hardy and rugged breed with a heavy coat and a placid disposition. Historically used as working ponies and packhorses, today they continue to be used in a wide variety of recreational disciplines, including for driving and as mounts for small adults or children.
History
The modern Eriskay ponies are the last surviving remnants of the original native ponies of the Western Isles of Scotland. They have been shown to be of very similar proportions to those found on ancient Pictish stones throughout the North and West of Scotland which supports the belief that these are surviving remnants to the original Pictish horse.
Until the end 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.
As agriculture expanded, larger ponies were favoured. The Congested Districts Board (Scotland) brought in a number of stallions from the Scottish mainland that were crossed with the local mares so that over time the smaller traditional type of island pony died out. However, due to access difficulties, none of these stallions were introduced to the small island of Eriskay so the “Western Isles type” survived in isolation on the island.
The University of Edinburgh – Dept of Celtic and Scottish Studies has an archive of photos taken on Eriskay in the early 1930s. Amongst these are a number that show what the University describes as ‘The distinctive Eriskay pony, whilst having the strength of other Highland and Island ponies, is recognised of being of fine build’ being used by women and children to transport peat, seaweed and hay in creels. However, due to mechanisation the ponies were used less and less on the crofts, and as their usefulness to the crofters declined, so did the population until this had declined to 20 animals by the early 1970s.
With the menfolk typically crewing fishing boats, much of the work on the crofts was undertaken by women and children. Although the ponies were used to pull carts, their most frequent use was as pack horses transporting peat and other loads in basketwork creels.
When the numbers of Eriskay ponies dropped to 20 mares and some geldings there was no known stallions. In the absence of pure-bred stallions, two small Highland stallions were crossed with the Eriskay mares. The progeny were bred back to purebred mares and the process repeated to arrive at ponies that, if not purebred, were as close as it was possible to get whilst retaining the Eriskay characteristics. At the same time it was discovered that one pure-bred pony ("Eric") who had been thought to be a gelding was in fact a fertile stallion. All purebred Eriskays today are descended from this stallion.
There are differing schools of thought on the desirability of focussing on breeding 100% Eriskays. Though preservation of pure bloodlines is desirable, given the narrowness of the gene pool and risks of inbreeding, many maintain that it is better for the long term health of the breed if the focus is not so much on breeding 100% pure ponies as on breeding high percentage ponies with good characteristics. This is thought to preserve the character of the breed but also its health by retaining the hybrid vigour of the early Highland outcrosses. This debate is one factor that caused a split between the two Eriskay pony societies.
Current Position
There are currently only around 500 registered Eriskay ponies, so the future of the Eriskay pony is still fragile. There are currently two Eriskay Pony Societies. The Eriskay Pony Society obtained registration under EU and UK law in 1995, The Eriskay Pony (Mother Society) (Comann Each nan Eilean) obtained recognition in 2001. The two societies were originally one, but split for a number of reasons. As Robert Beck, one of the founders of Comann Each nan Eilean states in his book Scotland's Native Horse,Comann Each nan Eilean had a period of great difficulty during which time the work of the society suffered. At this point a number of mainland breeders felt that the future of the breed was in danger and set up the Eriskay Pony Breed Society to preserve the breed. This society became the Eriskay Pony Society of today. Although the Eriskay Pony Breed Society was set up out of good intentions, their motives were suspected by Comann Each nan Eilean. Almost 90% of Eriskay foals registered in the National Equine Database in the last 10 years were bred by members of Eriskay Pony Society which makes it clear that the Eriskay Pony Society has been instrumental in the survival of the breed.
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. Both societies register both pure bred ponies and ponies that retain a small percentage of Highland Pony blood from the original stallions brought in to save the breed. 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. The society encourages members to compete in many different spheres (the English Tandem Driving Championship has been won by a team of Eriskays driven by Eriskay Pony Society members) both by offering 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 Comann Each nan Eilean focuses purely on breeding ponies in the Western Isles, for which it offers its members considerable support.
The Eriskay pony is not currently recognised as a native breed by the National Pony Society. This prevents Eriskay ponies taking part in Mountain and Moorland classes at UK horse shows (although some show societies do allow it). Many prominent shows do have Eriskay only classes in addition to Mountain and Moorland classes.
Characteristics
Eriskay ponies stand between 12.0 and 13.2 hands high (1.2 to 1.32 metres). They are usually born black or bay and typically turn grey as they mature, though a few remain black or bay into adulthood. Some other colours occur, but these are rare. None is piebald or skewbald.
Because this breed is adapted to a harsh, cold and very wet climate, the coat is dense, waterproof, and of medium length. There is only light feathering on the legs. Forelock, mane and tail are well developed and generous in quantity. Tails are fairly low set for further defence against the weather.
The head is large, fairly wide and deep. The neck is short and thick, not set in high and is carried well.
The body of the Eriskay is generous in all dimensions, relative to the height of the legs. The chest is very large, deep, well sprung, but not too broad, with a gentle but pronounced slope from the spine downwards towards the full width of the ribcage. Shoulders are well muscled and rather upright. The croup has a gentle curve with the dock situated in the middle third of this curve; the tail is well set in.
Legs are strong but not thick, having plenty of clean flat bone. Pasterns are relatively short and sloping. Hooves are small and neat with hard horn; somewhat upright and ‘blocky' and slightly high in the heel. Legs are not lifted high and steps are short which enables the breed to conserve vital energy in their natural environment. Gaits are smooth and free without exaggeration, with good rhythm and cadence. Walk and trot are straight and true with good flexion of the hocks and freedom of the shoulders.
Eriskay Ponies are of placid and amenable temperament with no signs of viciousness or aggression. They are extremely hardy and are good doers, living outdoors all winter with no need for rugs or hard feed (in fact they often do better being fed 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.