Interesting Facts About Wild Ponies

by Lina Al Quarishi, age 9

Wild ponies are not only cute but there are several breeds of the famous animal such as the Shetland, Dartmoor, and Exmoor. These ponies have lived on Earth for thousands of years, with some dating back to the last ice age, which was 10,000 years ago. These miniature horses have unique characteristics and qualities that set them apart from other animals.

The Dartmoor and Exmoor ponies are some of the most famous breeds because of their sturdiness. They have the ability to survive tough weather conditions like rain, snow, and wind. These ponies are also popular because they can be tamed and used for riding lessons.

Similar to the Dartmoor and Exmoor breeds, the Connemara ponies have excellent speed and endurance, which makes them good for competition events. When tamed, they work well with both children and adults. Connemaras are smart, fast, and can jump high. They get those abilities from their ancestors. The Connemara ponies had lived in Ireland and now they live all around Europe.

Tiny Shetland ponies have great strength, developed from rough terrain. At 40 inches tall, the Shetland is the strongest type of horse for its size. Typically, ponies are measured by hands, whereas the Shetland breed is measured in inches.

New Forest ponies live in the protected pasture woodlands of Southern England. Like the Connemaras, a New Forest pony can be tamed, making it popular among kids. They are also very smart and fast. Even though they live in protected areas, New Forest ponies are still wild animals and roam freely.

[Source: 100 Thing you Should Know About Horses & Ponies]