Sandalwood Pony

Infobox Horse
name= Sandalwood Pony
country= Indonesia|

The Sandalwood Pony originated in Indonesia, on the Sumba and Sumbawa Islands. It is named after the Sandalwood trees, which are a major export of the country. The Sandalwood pony is one of the finest in the country, partly due to the great amount of Arabian blood. They are very nice children's ponies, and have been exported to Australia. They have also been exported to other Southeast Asian countries for use as racing ponies.

The Sandalwood is used for light draft, pack, farm, and riding work. They are especially popular in horse racing, both on the flat and in harness. They are also used in the bareback races held on the islands, which are often over three miles long.

Sandalwoods have incredible endurance, and are very easy to manage. They should have a nice head with small ears, a short, muscular neck, and a deep chest with a sloping shoulder. The back is usually long, and the croup is sloping. The ponies are usually 12-13 hh, and may be any color.

There are eight breeds native to Indonesia, the Batak Pony, Gayoe, Deli pony, Bali Pony, Java Pony, Sumba and Sumbawa Pony (and closely related Sandalwood Pony) and Timor Pony. [ [http://www.lexiqueducheval.net/lexique_races_b.html "Races de chevaux et d'équidés" "Lexique du cheval!" (Includes English section)] Web page accessed December 8, 2007]

ee also

*List of horse breeds
*Sumba and Sumbawa Pony

References