pony mountain breed pony originated ireland possibly descended irish hobby horse originally lived mainly feral existence southwestern ireland local inhabitants pack cart horses transporting villages breed developed physical characteristics including low weight height ratio unusual pattern helped soft ground known ability survive harsh conditions war increasing declines local small farm population resulted breed extinction local man found genetically tested herd foundation stock rebuilding breed early 2000s breed recognised began issued members breed small numbers exported united_states time irish american breed formed registered population characteristics generally stand hands inches high irish breed standard calls stand hands stand hands low weight height ratio enables walk wet ground hind feet tend track outside feet allowing better progress soft ground exhibit relatively upright steep angle compared breeds possibly characteristic aids movement easy keepers feral lived low nutrient heather moss possibly shoreline overall muscular strong heads concave profiles small ears large eyes winter coat long dense serving protection harsh weather solid coat colours found including colours white markings common coloured animals accepted irish registry breed known enthusiasts strength intelligence generally driving companion animals riding programs known ireland possibly derived practice calling attract pony considered mountain pony breeds british isles study mitochondrial dna found closely related native irish breeds irish draught pony rare closely related small horse breeds found western europe including pony horse study found relationships pony pony breeds lack common ancestry reinforcing lack relationship study suggested population mountain breeds initial attempts increase population 1990s breeds contributed development horse known history original ancestry unknown horses living feral existence southwestern ireland enthusiasts claim breed descendant ancient irish hobby book illustration horses pictured resemble today original showing breeds similar morphology originally transport known ability navigate soft spots rocks wet weather strength relative small size trained work harness pull turned loose needed later caught work breeding programs existed instead left reproduce feral setting travelled observed horses resembled spain british cavalry aware war pack animals conflict return ireland famine decline farmers previously utilised died emigrated addition spanish brought island replace declined fuel source pack animals longer needed 1850s farms began consolidated machinery large draft horses employed reducing number needed consequently left run feral ignored shot locals emergence operated village began search remnants population despite reports breed extinct eventually found resembled remembered childhood removed stables blood performed ireland identified dna markers subsequent dna testing showed unique breed formed separate population local breeds ireland great_britain stallion named played significant role breed continued breeding promoting breed recognised year formed americans interested breed exported ireland farm ohio american founded initial recognised official breed following year issued members breed exception place allowed unrelated met physical breed standards bred offspring registered given concern small number initially registered closed new applicants financially rewarded farmers environmentally friendly methods village open air museum ring location breeds houses existing population registered irish registry included new year herd numbers steadily increased began numbers population numbers irish breeds pony irish draught despite increasing numbers breed considered critically endangered horses administered society ireland pony society based ireland branch great_britain required allowed book divided classes class meet requirements class meet height requirement class meet color requirements class submit official inspection breed association hosted annual breed sale
Kerry Bog Pony