The Polish Pony
The Polish Pony
The Polish pony is the only breed of primitive horse in Poland. It is a
descendant of the tarpan, which used to inhabit the primeval forests of
Poland, Lithuania and Prussia. The last tarpans caught alive in the
Białowieża Forest in the second half of the 17th century, were placed
in Zwierzyniec a game reserve of Count Zamoyski. The reserve was
situated in the area of the present-day Polish pony refuge. Early in
the 19th c., the tarpans were given to the local peasants. Interbred
with the domestic horse, they survived in the vicinity of Bitgoraj
until early 20th century as a primitive breed of plough horses. Until
the inter-war period, scientists did not show interest in the
descendants of the former tarpans. In 1936, a reserve was set up in
Białowieża, were the most representative specimens were placed. By
means of selection and breeding, a regeneration of the tarpan in its
former shape began.
The breeding and
preservation of the Polish pony in the RNP is carried out in
near-natural conditions in a special area in the proximity of the
"Echo" ponds, whereas in Florianka there is a stud farm. The Polish
Pony Breeding Refuge was established in 1982. It occupies an area of
about 180 ha, which encompasses forests, ponds with a dense network of
dykes, and the Świerszcz Stream Valley, which serves as a watering
place for the horses. At present, there are about 20 horses in the
Refuge.
In 1995, a Centre for
Farm Breeding of the Polish Pony was established in Florianka, where
attempts are made to reproduce the genetic features of the tarpan in
the Polish pony.
The Polish pony is
characterised by: small height (125 -135 cm), thick hair in winter,
mousy coat colour with a black stripe on the back, stripes around
shoulder blades and ankle joints. They are strong, considering their
small body weight, resistant to diseases and mild-tempered. The breed
is highly adaptable, viable and resourceful.
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