- Gotland Pony
Infobox Horse
name= Gotland Pony
image_caption= Gotland ponies in Slottskogen, Göteborg (Gothenburg)
altname= Gotland russ
nickname= Russ
Skogsbagge (sv)
Skogsruss (sv)
country=Sweden |Gotland pony or Gotland rus is an old Swedish
pony breed. Gotland ponies are thought to descend fromTarpan s that lived on the small island ofGotland that is on the South-Eastern coast of Sweden right after the last ice-age.The Gotland pony is the only breed of pony native to Sweden. The
Öland horse from the neighbouring island ofÖland was a close relative of the Gotland, but went extinct in the early 20th century.Origin
This breed of
horse resembles theHucul andKonik ofPoland . Like those horses, it is believed that the Gotland Russ descended from theTarpan .Wild ponies, and breeding
Once the Gotland ponies lived wild on the island. Nowadays a semi-wild herd is kept in the 650 acre enclosed area of
Lojsta moor where the horses live all year round.In the beginning of the 19th century Gotland ponies still lived everywhere on the island, but due to the chopping the woods and the increasing cultivation the number ponies had began to lessen menacingly. Plenty of ponies were also taken to the manner Europe, and around 1870 they were sold 200 per year. They were transported all the way to Great Britain and Belgium where they were used in coal mines. Extinction of the breed was avoided when the ennobling society was founded in Sweden. To the society's merit the moors and forests of Lojsta were protected for the ponies to live in.
The first pedigree-book for Gotland ponies was opened in Sweden in 1943. To improve the breed two Wales pony stallions have been accepted in it: Reber General and Criban Daniel. The pedigree was closed in 1971 after which only registered Gotland ponies have been accepted in it.
Today, they are mainly bred in
Sweden ,Denmark ,Finland ,Norway andNorth America .Uses
The Gotland Russ is the most common breed of pony in Sweden. It is a good all round pony and is often used by riding schools. Modern Gotlands are most popular as a riding ponies, often for children, and as
harness racing ponies. They also excel atshow jumping ,dressage , andeventing .Body
The Gotland Russ has a light and narrow build with sloping quarters and a low-set tail. Their hooves are good and hard. This pony generally stands from 115-130 cm at the withers (47-52 inches, 11.3 to 13 hands) and is ideally between 123-126. Three-year old pony must be 115-128 cm.
The pony is strong and hardy, and can be ridden by children and small adults.
Coat
The coat of the Gotland pony can be a variety of colors, although bay or black is usually preferred. Wild bay and mealy (Pangare) are very common in the breed. Common colors include bay, chestnut, black, buckskin, and
palomino , but all colors except for dun, grey, and dorsal pinto, are allowed.Training
The Gotland is considered to be a very quick learner, and described as easy to train.
External links
* [http://www.ansi.okstate.edu/breeds/horses/gotland/index.htm Department of Animal Science-Gotland]
References
Citation
last =Eternell Hagen
first =Eva
author-link =
last2 =
first2 =
author2-link =
year =1997
date =
title =Gotlandsrusset
place =
publisher =Stabenfeldt AB
edition =
volume =
id =
isbn =91-7117-252-1
url =
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