Lundy Pony
Encyclopedia
The Lundy Pony is a breed of pony
first developed on Lundy Island in England
. The breed
originated in 1928, when the owner of the island, Martin Coles Harman, introduced 34 New Forest pony
mares, eight foals and a Welsh Mountain B strawberry roan stallion. Diana Keast, his daughter, explained why he chose to cross these breeds: “He wanted ponies with a bit of style and height. Dartmoor and Exmoor ponies were nearer and more convenient - after all he had to charter a special train to bring the ponies from Lyndhurst - but they wouldn’t have had the height he wanted.” The Welsh stallion died only a year after arriving on the island, having sired just one foal - a colt called Pepper. Luckily this first “Lundy pony” grew into an upstanding stud stallion, creamy dun with a black mane and tail. By the Thirties there were so many ponies roaming the island that about 50 were rounded up and sold on the mainland. During the war there was no way of shipping ponies from the island and the herd reached nearly 100. There was constant warring among the entire stallions so that in 1944 a number had to be put down.
The pony herd was moved from the island in 1980 and taken to Cornwall
, where it continued to breed. Some were also taken to New Devon. In 1984, the Lundy Pony Breed Society formed to oversee the breed. The Society later decided to return some of the mares and foals to the island of Lundy.
Due to the harsh environment of the island, with its poor vegetation and severe weather, the ponies grew to be incredibly tough and hardy. They typically are dun
, roan
, palomino
, bay, or liver chestnut in color, and rarely exceed 13.2 hh in height. The ponies have a wide, deep chest, sloping shoulder, and hard, sound legs. Their necks are usually well-set and muscular and their backs strong and compact. Lundy Ponies are useful as mounts for children, as they are both attractive animals and good natured.
Pony
A pony is a small horse . Depending on context, a pony may be a horse that is under an approximate or exact height at the withers, or a small horse with a specific conformation and temperament. There are many different breeds...
first developed on Lundy Island in England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. The breed
Breed
A breed is a group of domestic animals or plants with a homogeneous appearance, behavior, and other characteristics that distinguish it from other animals or plants of the same species. Despite the centrality of the idea of "breeds" to animal husbandry, there is no scientifically accepted...
originated in 1928, when the owner of the island, Martin Coles Harman, introduced 34 New Forest pony
New Forest pony
The New Forest Pony or New Forester is one of the recognised Mountain and moorland or Native pony breeds of the British Isles. The breed is valued for its hardiness, strength and sureness of foot...
mares, eight foals and a Welsh Mountain B strawberry roan stallion. Diana Keast, his daughter, explained why he chose to cross these breeds: “He wanted ponies with a bit of style and height. Dartmoor and Exmoor ponies were nearer and more convenient - after all he had to charter a special train to bring the ponies from Lyndhurst - but they wouldn’t have had the height he wanted.” The Welsh stallion died only a year after arriving on the island, having sired just one foal - a colt called Pepper. Luckily this first “Lundy pony” grew into an upstanding stud stallion, creamy dun with a black mane and tail. By the Thirties there were so many ponies roaming the island that about 50 were rounded up and sold on the mainland. During the war there was no way of shipping ponies from the island and the herd reached nearly 100. There was constant warring among the entire stallions so that in 1944 a number had to be put down.
The pony herd was moved from the island in 1980 and taken to Cornwall
Cornwall
Cornwall is a unitary authority and ceremonial county of England, within the United Kingdom. It is bordered to the north and west by the Celtic Sea, to the south by the English Channel, and to the east by the county of Devon, over the River Tamar. Cornwall has a population of , and covers an area of...
, where it continued to breed. Some were also taken to New Devon. In 1984, the Lundy Pony Breed Society formed to oversee the breed. The Society later decided to return some of the mares and foals to the island of Lundy.
Due to the harsh environment of the island, with its poor vegetation and severe weather, the ponies grew to be incredibly tough and hardy. They typically are dun
Dun
Dun is now used both as a generic term for a fort and also for a specific variety of Atlantic roundhouse...
, roan
Roan (horse)
Roan is a horse coat color pattern characterized by an even mixture of colored and white hairs on the body, while the head and "points"—lower legs, mane and tail—are more solid-colored. The roan pattern is dominantly-inherited, and is found in many horse breeds...
, palomino
Palomino
Palomino is a coat color in horses, consisting of a gold coat and white mane and tail. Genetically, the palomino color is created by a single allele of a dilution gene called the cream gene working on a "red" base coat...
, bay, or liver chestnut in color, and rarely exceed 13.2 hh in height. The ponies have a wide, deep chest, sloping shoulder, and hard, sound legs. Their necks are usually well-set and muscular and their backs strong and compact. Lundy Ponies are useful as mounts for children, as they are both attractive animals and good natured.
External links
- Native Pony Enthusiasts Community entry for Lundy Pony.