Description
British Native Ponies 1000 Piece Jigsaw Puzzle
Britain has always been blessed with a large variety of native breeds. These native ponies were once the backbone of the British transport system. They pulled carriages, carried goods and chattels, as well as transporting man in is travels and business. Nowadays, many of our native ponies no longer work to earn their keep, but are used and enjoyed by man in his leisure hours, providing great pleasure to thousands of riders.
The smallest of these native breeds is the Shetland, probably the strongest member of the equine race in relation to its size and once used to pull carts in coal pits. The largest of these is the Welsh Cob, which has always been a firm favourite with the Welsh farmers for hunting and known for its high trotting action. This action, although not quite so marked , is also found in the Welsh pony (Cob Type).
Many of the native breeds are hardy individuals, with the Exmoor and Dartmoor surviving in the tough, bleak landscape of North Devon. the New Forest pony roams at will over sixty thousand acres of in Hampshire, but the land offers only poor pasture, making them hardy and economic feeders.
The Fell and Dale are often confused, as quite often both are black, but the Dales are usually slightly larger and stockier. The Fell comes from the Western Pennines and the Dale from the Eastern Pennines, but both are popular riding ponies.
The smaller Welsh ponies have long been popular with children as riding ponies and are renowned for their elegant movements, making them a popular choice for the showing ring.
The Connemara is found in Ireland and although not strictly a British native pony has long been included when talking of native breeds. The are hardy, intelligent and exceptionally good tempered.
The Highland is the largest and strongest of the mountain and moorland ponies. The have excellent balance and are extremely sure footed, making them ideal for hill work.