The nine breeds of ponies considered the most popular

Although ponies are not considered a different species from the horse, they have some characteristics that differentiate them from it, mainly the low elevation.

The pony or jackfruit, as the Royal Academy of the Spanish Language (RAE) calls it, is a type of horse with a very small elevation. The maximum height of an adult specimen weighs around 100 kilograms and cannot exceed 150 centimeters. There are no breeds of ponies as such at the official level, but they are identified in the general culture.

If we compare this variety of horses with those of greater height, ponies have legs, in proportion to their body, more trimmed. The body is more elongated, as well as robust, with a short neck. If you want to meet the 9 most popular pony breeds, read on.

You would wonder if there are pony breeds?

Although these defining characteristics exist, the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) does not consider the existence of pony breeds. This prestigious organization, recognized worldwide, calls pony any horse with a height of less than 147 centimeters.

Studies and research conducted by different universities around the world suggest that the pony is a species per se, which has different breeds. Most of them are still under study and unclassified. According to paleontological data, ponies are more physically similar to the prehistoric horses that populated Eurasia, from which they evolved.

Currently, the different breeds of ponies that may exist are under discussion, except for 2, very consolidated. Sometimes, we talk about pony breeds when, in reality, they are simply different populations, but they belong to the same group.

The most popular pony breeds

Because of this, determining which are the most popular pony breeds is a complicated job. However, we present some of the varieties that are most used to describe some types of ponies today.

1. Poni welsh

If we were to look at a welsh pony, the preformed idea we have of these animals would be truncated. This is because this breed of pony can reach a good elevation and its appearance is very similar to that of the horse.

The welsh pony is native to the mountains of Wales, in England. By human pressures, this race derived from the Celtic pony of the Iron Age. However, it has been crossed with a single male, an Arabian horse, which improved the breed and donated certain characteristics to the equine that concern us here.

It is one of the breeds of ponies that reach greater elevation, between 115 and 152 centimeters. It has a very elegant, slender and harmonious profile. It has a wide forehead, very round eyes and an almost concave head, which is very reminiscent of the Arabian horse. It also has a long and flexible neck, a cylindrical body with a short back and a rounded and strong rump.

Welsh ponies have been used as breeders of other pony breeds and as light-drawn horses.

2. Poni shetland

The Shetland pony breed is native to the Shetland Islands, located in the north of Scotland. This animal has been very isolated, so its breed has not been crossed, except for some horses that entered the island with the Scandinavians about 1000 years ago. Therefore, the breed remains pure.

It is one of the pony breeds with the lowest elevation, since the adult specimens measure a maximum of 107 centimeters high. Their fur can be very varied, but never pio of white spots of different sizes all over the body. It is a compact pony, with a small head and very populated manes and tail.

The body is short and cylindrical. It features a prominent cross, with a long, muscular back. Like all breeds of ponies, it also has short legs. They are rustic ponies, long-lived, very docile and are used as light draft and exhibition horses especially in circuses.

These horses are highly prized for their small size to be a saddle horse for children. In fact, it is the most used pony in fairs, since it has a special docility and meekness towards infants.

Seven other pony breeds considered popular

The breeds of Welsh and Shetland ponies are the best known and used around the world, but not the only ones. Although many are not classified as pure breeds, there are other types of ponies according to the different regions.

Among them, we find the following:

1. Pthey exmoor.
2. Asturcón or Asturian pony.
3. Chinese pony.
4. Monchino horse.
5. Galician pony.
6. New Forest pony or mountain pony.
7. Poni dales.

Unlike the horse, the first equines must have had a height similar to today's ponies. Today, their popularity is on the rise, especially in working with children, due to the ease of handling they possess.

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