The Eriskay Pony

Introduction

The Eriskay Pony is unique in that it is often born black or bay, changing to grey as it matures. A few individuals might remain black or bay. It grows to a sturdy 12 - 13.2 hh, and has a short coat, thick but not long in the winter, and clean legs to cope with the wet winters of its native habitat.

Characteristics

The Eriskay Pony is very human-friendly, willing and versatile - just as one might expect from stock that were originally family working ponies.

Brief History

The Eriskay Pony originated as a native pony of the Western Isles of Scotland. They were used by the crofters to carry peat and seaweed crops, often in basketry creels carried over their backs. They would also have been used to pull carts, harrow the land and carry the family members to and fro. Natural selection slowly created a pony that was able to exist on poor and meagre grazing, and survive the harshness of the cold, wet and windy winters off of Britain's coldest shores. Human selection caused unsuitable ponies to be culled. The crofters needed animals that were strong, hardy, willing and able to work hard, and eager to live around and with people.

As farming became more organised and larger scale, so larger ponies were required. In many areas the crofters ponies were cross-bred with Norwegian Fjords, Arabs, Clydesdales , producing lines of stronger, larger ponies, but on the remote Island of Eriskay in the Western Isles, other breeds were not introduced, leaving a stock of pure bred ponies - only about 20 in number by the 1970's. A dedicated team of individuals struggled to keep the breed alive, and as a result, there are now about 420 ponies held by breeders around the British Isles.

The Eriskay Pony remains on the critical list of the Rare Breeds Survival Trust, but the work of the Eriskay Pony Society and its members will undoubtedly ensure its continued survival and success! Their site tells you everything you need to know about this unique animal, along with news and plenty of sound advice if you own an Eriskay, might be considering buying one, or would simply like to learn more.

As Thick as Thieves!

Who says that old and young don't mix well? Shadow, left, is shown here rising 2, Flasher, right, rising 22! And what a team they make! Shadow has the nerve, Flasher the experience... and being pesky ponies, they both have the cheek! Together they can do just about anything that they shouldn't do! Shadow is Section C Welsh, Flasher Section B.

Moulting Foals

The miniature shetlands lost their "baby" coat in handfulls in some places, and very late in others! It was soft and hard to keep free of matting, especially as they were forever nibbling each other - in the friendliest possible way, of course! As a result of this there was actually only about two weeks in the autumn when they were totally free of winter coat, before their new, coarser coat grew for their second winter. Between beginning of January (they were kept in over their first winter) and September, they looked seriously moth-eaten! Last year's shetland foals are looking much the same at the moment, but the ones above, now rising 2 years of age, have beautiful unblemished winter coats.

Hardy and Smudge

Here are two of our pesky ponies, looking very sweet and innocent! Smudge is on the left. They were born in May 2006, and are both miniature Shetlands. If you'd like to see a photo of your pony here, then ask your Mum or Dad to email it to webmaster@peskyponies.co.uk

WELCOME!

Welcome to Pesky Ponies - A Blog dedicated to those fun-loving, cheeky British native ponies that we all love - even if they can be some of the naughtiest creatures on earth! Included in this blog will be articles and features on all sorts of native ponies, including Shetlands, Welsh, New Forest, Highland, Dartmoor, and Exmoor. These are the ponies that are still willing to work hard for their living, and are used for riding, driving, trekking and showing. And of course, they make quite a good job of gardening, given the chance! Just as long as the roses needed to be pruned, that is!

The ponies that I keep are Shetlands and Welsh. They are not perfect specimens of ponyhood, but they can certainly be pesky when they want to be! I hope that readers will send me photographs and news of their own ponies, which can be added to this blog. Below is Rupert, a midi Shetland, and one of our peskiest! He was our first, and although few people would agree - he believes himself to be the BEST!

Now, here you see Rupert all washed and brushed up for a show, and looking his very best. Doesn't he look sweet? But look below - and you'll see him rolling in the mud to get rid of that nice clean look, after all our work bathing him!