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There is very little fact known about the
development of this pony breed. The Sardinian pony is now rather rare, but
there are many more records about the Sardinian horse, known also as the
Sardinian Anglo-Arab. The Sardinian pony is ancient, having come from early
imports of Arabian and Barb horses. Spanish blood also runs through their
veins. The first documented mention of this pony was not made until 1845, and
ever since then they have still remained fairly anonymous.
The Sardinian pony, although small in
stature, exhibits horse-like characteristics. This is especially seen in the
conformation of the foals. Worth considering is the fact that this is
another pony breed descended from horses, and shaped accordingly by their wild
environment. Many of these ponies live in a feral state on harsh plateaus,
approximately two thousand feet above sea level. Their living conditions are
very poor and food is scarce. These living conditions have made these ponies
extremely tough and hard, resistant to the weather, and economical feeders.
The domesticated version of this pony is
suitable for riding, light draft work, and light farm work as well. They are
very surefooted over rough terrain, which makes them invaluable for pack and
trekking purposes. Generally they exhibit a quiet temperament, but there are
instances of the Sardinian showing a difficult streak. They are also known for
being somewhat stubborn.
They have heavy heads with a straight or
convex profile, small, alert ears, and large, intelligent eyes. Their necks
are in proportion with their bodies. The neck is muscular, with a good arch
from the withers to the poll. Their backs are short and compact but inclined
to be hollow. The croup is sloping with a low-set tail. The conformation of
the shoulders is mostly good, having a nice slope and being very powerful.
They are deep and wide through the chest and have long legs, which are strong
but have very fine bone. The hooves are tough, therefore they do not generally
exhibit lameness in the legs or feet, although they do have the conformational
defect of cow hocks. Usually these ponies are brown, black, boy, or liver
chestnut. They stand between 12 and 13 hh.
For more information on the Sardinian
Pony, check out the following websites!
http://www.probertencyclopaedia.com/B8A.HTM (scroll
down)
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