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Eriskay Pony

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Eriskay Pony
An Eriskay pony on Holy Isle, Firth of Clyde
Country of originOuter Hebrides, Scotland
Traits
Distinguishing featuresDense, waterproof coat, large head.

The Eriskay Pony is a breed of pony from Scotland. It is generally grey in color, and has a dense, waterproof coat that protects it in harsh weather. The breed developed in ancient times in the Hebrides islands in Scotland, and a small population remained pure and protected from crossbreeding by the remoteness of the islands. It is used for light draft work, as a mount for children, in many equestrian disciplines, and for driving. The breed is rare today, with the Rare Breeds Survival Trust considering their status critical. There are two breed registries for the breed; The Association for the Preservation and Development of the Eriskay Pony was founded on Eriskay in 1972, this organisation changed its name to Comann Each nan Eilean – The Eriskay Pony Society in 1978 and achieved legal recognition as a breed society and equine passport issuing organisation in 2001. The Eriskay Pony Breed Society was set up in 1986 to provide support to Eriskay breeders outside the Western Isles. In 1995 it changed its name to the Eriskay Pony Society and achieved legal recognition as a breed society and equine passport issuing organisation in 1996.

Characteristics

The Eriskay Pony generally stands between 12 and 13.2 hands (48 and 54 inches, 122 and 137 cm). It is usually grey in color, although a few are bay or black.[1] Chestnut, piebald, skewbald and excess white markings are discouraged by breed registries. The winter coat is dense and waterproof to protect from the harsh climate, with a thick mane and tail.[2] The head is large, with a wide forehead. The neck and shoulders are well muscled, and the chest deep but generally not broad. The rib-cage is long and the loins short, which increases the strength of the back. The croup is slightly sloping. The Eriskay has a full body relative to the length of the legs.[1] It is quite similar to the Exmoor pony in body type. The Eriskay is known for its easy-going temperament and suitability as a mount for children. It is used for light draft work,[2] as well as dressage, show jumping, three day eventing, western riding and driving. Eriskays have successfully competed in Fédération Équestre Internationale (FEI) level driving. They have also been used in therapeutic horseback riding.[1]

History

The Eriskay Pony developed in the Hebrides, a group of western isles in Scotland. The origins of the breed are ancient, with roots in Celtic and Norse breeding.[2] It is physically similar to drawings of ponies on ancient Pictish stones found in north and west Scotland.[3] It is related to other northern breeds, including the Icelandic horse and the Faroe pony.[2] The Eriskay takes its name from Eriskay Island. Originally, the breed had a fairly large population,[2] and until the mid-19th century the Eriskay and other ponies were found throughout the western islands of Scotland. They were used as crofters ponies, as pack animals, for light draft and as mounts for children.[3]

Eriskay pony on the Isle of Lewis in Scotland

During the 1800s numbers were much reduced through increased crossbreeding.[2] The crossbreeding was used to produce larger ponies for draft work, and Eriskays and other island ponies were crossed with horse breeds from mainland Europe, including Arabs and Clydesdales.[3] Other horses, including the Norwegian Fjord, were crossed with island ponies, including the Eriskay, to produce the Highland pony.[2] A few specimens of the Eriskay were preserved on the remotest islands of Scotland, mainly due to the difficulties of accessing the islands. This stock of ponies remained pure, but through the advent of mechanization decline in population to around 20 animals in the early 1970s.[3] In 1941 the SS Politician founded off the Eriskay coast, and the natives, using the Eriskay ponies, carried away the cargo of 250,000 bottles of whiskey.[4]

Today the Eriskay is rare. Its population is considered to be at critical status by the UK-based Rare Breeds Survival Trust, meaning that there are 300 or fewer breeding females registered in the world today.[5] In 2006, there were believed to have been around 300 mares and 4 purebred stallions,[6] and by 2009 this number had risen to around 420 ponies worldwide.[1] It is possible that the Eriskay is the last surviving Hebrides pony breed. There are two breed registries that represent the breed. The first (the Eriskay Pony Mother Society or Comann Each nan Eilean,[7] formed in 1972[8]) has the goal of maintaining the purity of the Eriskay breed, and disallows all crossbreeding. The second (the Eriskay Pony Society, formed in 1995[9]) aims to produce ponies with desirable traits, which the registry feels will help promote their survival – this registry has considered the possibility of cross-breeding.[10]

References

  1. ^ a b c d "The Eriskay Pony". Eriskay Pony Society. Retrieved 2009-03-19.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g Hendricks, Bonnie. International Encyclopedia of Horse Breeds. University of Oklahoma Press. p. 175-176. ISBN 9780806138848.
  3. ^ a b c d "Eriskay Pony". Breeds of Livestock. Oklahoma State University. Retrieved 2009-03-19.
  4. ^ Williams, Douglas and Alastair Robertson (October 26, 1997). "People quit 'ponies galore' Eriskay". Sunday Times (London, England).
  5. ^ "Watchlist". Rare Breeds Survival Trust. Retrieved 2009-03-19.
  6. ^ "Born to be mild: the pony that's rarer than a giant panda". Daily Mail Online. Associated Newspapers Ltd. June 30, 2006. Retrieved 2009-03-19.
  7. ^ "The Mother Studbook". Eriskay Pony Mother Society. Retrieved 2009-03-19.
  8. ^ "Formation of Society". Eriskay Pony Mother Society. Retrieved 2009-03-25.
  9. ^ "The Eriskay Pony Society". Eriskay Pony Society. Retrieved 2009-03-19.
  10. ^ "Eriskay Pony". Horseman Magazine. August 7, 2008. Retrieved 2009-03-19.
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