Czechoslovakian Small Riding Pony
Encyclopedia
The Czechoslovakian Small Riding Pony is a breed of pony
, used as a riding animal for children. Development of this small riding pony began in 1980 at the Agricultural University in Nitra
. The initial breeding stock, about seventy mares, were kept at the Nová Bana farm.
Broodmares were selected mostly of Arabian
stock and also included Hanoverian
, Slovak Warmblood and Hucul. A herd of twenty-seven mares averaging 14.2 hands were selected for the first crosses to a Welsh pony
stallion, Branco. The first offspring, foaled in 1981, were kept outdoors on the rough terrain. Additional crosses were made to another Welsh stallion, Shal, imported from West Germany
. The first foals were trained under saddle
and in harness
in 1984 and nearly all successfully passed the working trials. Animals of the new breed are docile, with an alert but calm temperament, modest in feeding requirement and effective in utilization of food. They have good gaits
and jumping
ability. They stand between 13.2 and 13.3 hands high.
In 1989 a conference was held at the Agricultural University of Nitra regarding the breeding programme. It was agreed that methods being used to breed a small sport horse for children from the ages of eight to sixteen years were correct and that efforts should be continued.
There are now over 150 of these new breed of ponies, and plans are being made to establish a club for private breeders of small horses in Nitra.
Pony
A pony is a small horse . Depending on context, a pony may be a horse that is under an approximate or exact height at the withers, or a small horse with a specific conformation and temperament. There are many different breeds...
, used as a riding animal for children. Development of this small riding pony began in 1980 at the Agricultural University in Nitra
Nitra
Nitra is a city in western Slovakia, situated at the foot of Zobor Mountain in the valley of the river Nitra. With a population of about 83,572, it is the fifth largest city in Slovakia. Nitra is also one of the oldest cities in Slovakia and the country's earliest political and cultural center...
. The initial breeding stock, about seventy mares, were kept at the Nová Bana farm.
Broodmares were selected mostly of Arabian
Arabian horse
The Arabian or Arab horse is a breed of horse that originated on the Arabian Peninsula. With a distinctive head shape and high tail carriage, the Arabian is one of the most easily recognizable horse breeds in the world. It is also one of the oldest breeds, with archaeological evidence of horses...
stock and also included Hanoverian
Hanoverian (horse)
A Hanoverian is a warmblood horse originating in Germany, which is often seen in the Olympic Games and other competitive English riding styles, and have won gold medals in all three equestrian Olympic competitions. It is one of the oldest, most numerous, and most successful of the warmbloods...
, Slovak Warmblood and Hucul. A herd of twenty-seven mares averaging 14.2 hands were selected for the first crosses to a Welsh pony
Welsh Pony
The Welsh Pony and Cob are closely related horse breeds including both pony and cob types, which originated in Wales in the United Kingdom...
stallion, Branco. The first offspring, foaled in 1981, were kept outdoors on the rough terrain. Additional crosses were made to another Welsh stallion, Shal, imported from West Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
. The first foals were trained under saddle
Saddle
A saddle is a supportive structure for a rider or other load, fastened to an animal's back by a girth. The most common type is the equestrian saddle designed for a horse, but specialized saddles have been created for camels and other creatures...
and in harness
Horse harness
A horse harness is a type of horse tack that allows a horse or other equine to pull various horse-drawn vehicles such as a carriage, wagon or sleigh. Harnesses may also be used to hitch animals to other loads such as a plow or canal boat....
in 1984 and nearly all successfully passed the working trials. Animals of the new breed are docile, with an alert but calm temperament, modest in feeding requirement and effective in utilization of food. They have good gaits
Horse gait
Horse gaits are the various ways in which a horse can move, either naturally or as a result of specialized training by humans.-Classification:...
and jumping
Show jumping
Show jumping, also known as "stadium jumping," "open jumping," or "jumpers," is a member of a family of English riding equestrian events that also includes dressage, eventing, hunters, and equitation. Jumping classes commonly are seen at horse shows throughout the world, including the Olympics...
ability. They stand between 13.2 and 13.3 hands high.
In 1989 a conference was held at the Agricultural University of Nitra regarding the breeding programme. It was agreed that methods being used to breed a small sport horse for children from the ages of eight to sixteen years were correct and that efforts should be continued.
There are now over 150 of these new breed of ponies, and plans are being made to establish a club for private breeders of small horses in Nitra.