Type the name of the breed you're looking for below

[wpdreams_ajaxsearchlite] Don't see the breed your're looking for? Click here and let us know!

[fbcomments]

Australian pony

Country Of Origin	Australia
History and Background	Since the continent had no native horses or ponies prior to the arrival of European explorers and settlers, all equidae that now live there are from imported stock. Nine horses first arrived in Australia in 1788 in the First Fleet from South Africa. In 1803, the first Timor Ponies arrived from Indonesia, and provided the foundation stock for the breed. The Australian Pony also had later influence from the Welsh Mountain Pony, Hackney pony, Arabian, Shetland Pony, Highland Pony, Connemara Pony, Exmoor Pony, and from small Thoroughbreds. Stallions of influence included: Sir Thomas and Dennington Court: Two Exmoor pony stallions imported in the mid-19th century Bonnie Charlie (imp): Hungarian stallion thought to have been brought to Australia with a circus in the mid-19th century. Dyoll Greylight: Welsh Mountain Pony which arrived in 1911, considered a founding sire. Little Jim (imp): a brown Welsh Cob with English Hackney bloodlines was imported in 1909. By 1920, a distinct type of pony had emerged in Australia, and in 1931, the first Australian pony stud book, the Australian Pony Stud Book Society, was formed. The Australian Pony section of the stud book incorporated all of the Mountain and moorland pony breeds that had been imported from the turn of the 20th century as well as the pony breeds which had been developed in Australia. Some Arabian influence was introduced in the 1940s, when for a short time, breeders could use an Arabian stallion over APSB mares. In the mid-1960s the APSB opened sections for Welsh Mountain and Connemara ponies and catered for some other European breeds later.
Use Today	Mounted games, Driving pony, Eventing pony, Show pony, Riding pony
Height	11 to 14 hands high (44-56 inches, 112-142 centimeters)
Colour	Any colour
Characteristics	With slightly crested neck, sloped back, strong back, and well-defined withers, the Australian Pony strongly shows the refining Welsh Mountain Pony influence. This riding pony also has deep chest, well-rounded hindquarter, and short, strong legs.
Personality and Temperament	After years of interbreeding, breeders were been able to bring out the most desirable qualities in the Australian Pony, including its good temper. Though an obedient horse, it still retains its air of pride.