The Native Pony, Mountain & Moorland Pony Enthusiasts Community

The Native Pony Enthusiasts Community - Hamlet's House

Welcome to Hamlet's House - The Native Pony Enthusiasts Community.

Introduction and Origins
The origin of each of our native breeds varies somewhat, many theories are offered to explain these matters. Some are believed to have evolved from the ponies brought over by the early Celtic settlers. It is also thought that native breeds are descendants of ponies that migrated here prior to the ice age thaw, when Great Britain was part of mainland Europe.

There is a belief that certain breeds may be truly indigenous; more romantic theories include the notion that when the Spanish Armada sank in 1568, the Spanish stallions on board swam ashore and bred with the wild native ponies.

Each Native Ponys build, size and movement has been defined over the centuries by the terrain, climate and vegetation on which they lived. Around 9700 years ago, dramatic climate changes to Ireland and the British Isles saw grazing areas become restricted to the mountains, hills and higher moorland areas. Herds of ponies were isolated to upland areas; from there on the mountain and moorland pony evolved. Native ponies caught and tamed from their wild habitat would have been used in agriculture, the mining industry, and for general domestic chores.

In recent history, many influences have threatened the survival of our native ponies.

Henry VII ordered that all 'nags of small stature' be culled.
A law was passed that prohibited 'Any stoned horse under 15 hands'. It is said that he wished to ensure the breeding of larger ponies for use as war horses; able to carry a soldier, his armour and weapons. Thankfully Queen Elizabeth later annulled these laws, many of the wild native breeds in their isolation escaped the cull.

An element of a class war threatened the early breedng of native ponies as in 1740.
An Act was passed subject to "racing with poneys", aimed to stamp out "a vile and paltry breed of horse, and remove temptation from the lower class of people who constantly attend these races - to the great loss of time and hindrance of labour".

These efforts completely reversed in the 1870s, when the 10th Hussars returned from India and introduced a new game, Polo. The native pony qualities were highly sought after for the breeding of Polo ponies.

Sadly some native breeds did not survive. Some have since died out, or merged with their neighbouring breeds; no longer recognised as separate types. These include the Goonhilly ponies of Cornwall, Tiree Ponies of the Scottish Isles, the Longmynd ponies of Shropshire, Lincolnshire Fens and Cushendales.

An early organisation to keep records of Mountain and Moorland pony breeds were the Polo and Riding Pony society, founded in 1893.
In 1899, Mountain and Moorland pony sections were opened in volume V of the polo pony stud book. All new entries had to be inspected; no pony exceeding the height of 14.2 h.h was eligible for registration. The society also promoted the showing of native ponies. In 1902 the Council began issuing silver medals to horse shows around the districts for mountain and moorland breed classes. These medals (now incorporated into a rosette) are still a much sought after prize in native pony showing today. The Polo pony Society later became the National Pony Society.

The post-war revival of the Native pony breeds was thanks in no small part to Glenda Spooner.
In 1952 she founded Ponies of Britain (which later became Ponies Association UK).
Their aim was to improve the welfare of horses and ponies; to raise the profile and popularity of the native pony breeds, holding annual shows and events featuring these specific classes.

The modern day survival of the native pony can be much attributed to the leisure industry, pony trekking and various other activities have become popular. The native pony's size and build makes them an ideal mount to carry both adults and children.

Introduction of foreign blood to pure stock, the onset of war, and mechanisation have all threatened the survival of each native breed. Selective breeding programs, and the establishment of breed societies who recognised these threats, have worked to preserve the purity and true characteristics of our native ponies.
Maintaining the wonderful heritage of native ponies is paramount; each native pony breed now has a founded society, some of which date back to the late 1880s.

Today, interest in the Native pony has grown massively - they are now immensely popular world wide. For example, Germany has exported native ponies since the 1970's, part of their 'sport ponies' breeding program. As a result, Welsh ponies are predominant throughout todays German sport pony pedigrees.

For further information, consult our pages in the Breed Info section of Hamlet's House.

The Native Pony Enthusiasts Community - Hamlet's House™