Danish Sport Pony
Encyclopedia
The Danish Sport Pony is a breed of riding pony
. The Danish Sport Pony Breeding Association began breeding for the pony in the 1970s. The ponies are classified according to height and grouped into three classifications. It is usually dark, although the classic color was originally gray. The horses are registered through the Landsudvalget.
, but over time and with crossbreeding, Danish Sport Ponies are also bay, chestnut
, and black
. Since the Danish Sport Pony is meant to be used as a mount for children, it should have a good temperament; calm and obedient.
History=
The Danish Sport Pony breed has only become a serious endeavor for Danish breeders within the past few decades because Icelandic
and Norwegian horses were more popular as mounts. When pony riding rose in popularity, however, the demand for ponies increased. To cope with the demand, the Danish Sport Pony Breeding Association was formed in 1976. The organization was dedicated to creating a uniform breed of riding ponies, and this they achieved by crossing different breeds with the Danish Sport Pony. The horse breed
s used for development of the Danish Sport Pony included the Connemara pony
, New Forest pony
, Welsh pony
and Arabian horse
. Today, Danish Sport Ponies are registered through the Landsudvalget.
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...
. The Danish Sport Pony Breeding Association began breeding for the pony in the 1970s. The ponies are classified according to height and grouped into three classifications. It is usually dark, although the classic color was originally gray. The horses are registered through the Landsudvalget.
Characteristics
The Danish Sport Pony should never be taller than . The riding classes for Danish Sport ponies are separated into three categories: ponies up to 14.2 hands; ponies up to ; and ponies up to . The ideal pony has muscular limbs, giving it both agility and speed. It should also have a well-formed head and neck, sloping shoulders and prominent withers. Its back should be muscular, as should its thighs. Traditionally, the predominant color was grayGray (horse)
Gray or grey is a coat color of horses characterized by progressive silvering of the colored hairs of the coat. Most gray horses have black skin and dark eyes; unlike many depigmentation genes, gray does not affect skin or eye color Their adult hair coat is white, dappled, or white intermingled...
, but over time and with crossbreeding, Danish Sport Ponies are also bay, chestnut
Chestnut (coat)
Chestnut is a hair coat color of horses consisting of a reddish-to-brown coat with a mane and tail the same or lighter in color than the coat. Genetically and visually, chestnut is characterized by the absolute absence of true black hairs...
, and black
Black (horse)
Black is a hair coat color of horses in which the entire hair coat is black. Black is a relatively uncommon coat color, and novices frequently mistake dark chestnuts or bays for black. However, some breeds of horses, such as the Friesian horse, Murgese and Ariegeois are almost exclusively black...
. Since the Danish Sport Pony is meant to be used as a mount for children, it should have a good temperament; calm and obedient.
History=
The Danish Sport Pony breed has only become a serious endeavor for Danish breeders within the past few decades because Icelandic
Icelandic horse
The Icelandic horse is a breed of horse developed in Iceland. Although the horses are small, at times pony-sized, most registries for the Icelandic refer to it as a horse. Icelandic horses are long-lived and hardy. In their native country they have few diseases; Icelandic law prevents horses from...
and Norwegian horses were more popular as mounts. When pony riding rose in popularity, however, the demand for ponies increased. To cope with the demand, the Danish Sport Pony Breeding Association was formed in 1976. The organization was dedicated to creating a uniform breed of riding ponies, and this they achieved by crossing different breeds with the Danish Sport Pony. The horse breed
Horse breed
Horse breed is a broad term with no clear consensus as to definition, but most commonly refers to selectively bred populations of domesticated horses, often with pedigrees recorded in a breed registry. However, the term is sometimes used in a very broad sense to define landrace animals, or...
s used for development of the Danish Sport Pony included the Connemara pony
Connemara pony
The Connemara pony is a pony breed originating in Ireland. They are known for their athleticism, versatility and good disposition. The breed makes excellent show ponies.-History:...
, New Forest pony
New Forest pony
The New Forest Pony or New Forester is one of the recognised Mountain and moorland or Native pony breeds of the British Isles. The breed is valued for its hardiness, strength and sureness of foot...
, 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...
and Arabian horse
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...
. Today, Danish Sport Ponies are registered through the Landsudvalget.