Kerry Bog Pony
KERRY BOG PONY STUDBOOK
The Kerry Bog is a breed of ponies that evolved in the Irish heathland, formerly living a feral life in the peat bogs. Over the centuries, these small animals have been used as draught animals in the peat bogs of County Kerry. The Irish Government along with breeders and horse enthusiasts saved the breed from extinction and recognised it as the Heritage Pony breed of Ireland.
The Kerry Bog Pony is a small sturdy Native Breed standing approximately 102-117cms for stallions and 102-112cms for mares. The Kerry Bog Pony has a fine, intelligent head with large kind eyes. It has a strong and well set on neck, with a rounded shoulder and compact body. It has ample bone, and can carry heavy burdens in relation to its build.
The Irish Kenny Bog Pony Co-Operative Society maintains the studbook for the breed and has been hosting yearly breed shows in Glenbeigh since 2007.
History and Development
Although the ancestral lineage of Kerry Bog Ponies is largely unknown, some horse enthusiasts believe that these equines evolved from the now-extinct Irish Hobby. Horses pictured in a 17th-century book showed morphological features similar to both the Irish Hobby and the Kerry Bog Pony. Since they have the unique ability to travel through the bogs, over rocks and around soft spots in harsh weather conditions, they were mainly used for transporting heavy loads, pulling carts, and working in harness. When not in use, the ponies were Bog Pony is extremely hardy, resistant to many equine diseases, with great powers of endurance. It has ample bone, and can released in the heathlands.
The population of Kerry Bogs declined at the beginning of the 19th century since the British cavalry used these ponies as pack animals in the Peninsular War. Their numbers further reduced during the mid-1800s, as the Great Famine ravaged Ireland. Subsequently, Spanish donkeys replaced the ponies as pack animals. In the 1850s, the ponies were no longer needed, as the farms became mechanised. Consequently, the Kerry Bogs were left to roam in their feral environment.
In 1994, the Kerry Bogs almost became extinct, as 20 ponies only remained in Ireland. The breed was saved from extinction mainly due to the tireless efforts of John Mulvihill of Glenbeigh, County Kerry. He started producing and promoting the breed. Only one of the 20 ponies was a stallion, called Flashy Fox who is credited for siring over 140 foals, and thus played a significant role in reviving the breed.
After the foundation of the Kerry Bog Pony Society in 2002, the popularity of these ponies captured the attention of the Americans. The ponies were first exported to the United States in 2003. The American Kerry Bog Pony Society was set up in 2005, with 11 ponies being initially registered. The number of Kerry Bog ponies registered each year, remains small, however, the enthusiastic committed breed society members ensure the breed and its genetic are preserved for future generations.
This rare breed is an ideal family pony, full of character and fun. Generations of use on small farms has produced a pony of calm temperament, willing and able to perform in a wide range of disciplines.
