I ran across this while googling, and didn't know where to put it -

Author: * Cinaedh Cruithni - 3 Posts on this thread out of 507 Posts sitewide.
Date: Jan 23, 2006 - 12:04

Eriskay Pony

The Eriskay Pony is the only surviving variety of Hebridean pony and are found on the Hebrides islands off the coast of Scotland. They originated from the Celtic type with no imported bloodlines. The Eriskay pony is almost extinct.

Modern Eriskay ponies are the last surviving remnants of the original native ponies of the Western Isles of Scotland. Recent DNA testing by the University of Leicester has proven that they are a distinct, primitive breed, with ancient origins. Certainly they have ancient Celtic and Norse connections and Eriskays have been proven by measurement to be of similar proportions to those found on ancient Pictish stones throughout the North and West of Scotland.

Until the middle of the 19th Century ponies of the "Western Isles type" were found throughout the islands and used as crofters ponies, undertaking everyday tasks such as bringing home peat and seaweed in basketwork creels slung over their backs, pulling carts, harrowing and even taking the children to school.

In some ways the ponies were subject to "human" in addition to "natural" selection. The ponies had evolved to survive on meager food supplies, with coats, ears and tails well adapted to coping with a harsh, wet and windy climate. Eriskays were then subject to the forces of living in a society where women and children did most of the work while the men were at sea. Poor temperaments could not be tolerated. Only those ponies happy to live in close proximity with their handlers, those willing to be trained and work hard, were retained. Unsuitable specimens were culled. Over the centuries, the Eriskay ponies evolved into the hardy, versatile, people friendly characters we recognize today.

Red the rest at:
http://www.ansi.okstate.edu/breeds/horses/eriskay/index.htm