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The Skyros Pony (Greek αλογάκι της Σκύρου) is a breed of pony found on the Greek isle of Skyros.
The breed is distinguished by its relatively small stature compared to other Greek ponies, standing a mere eleven hands. The Skyros possesses a small head on on a short neck and narrow body, with little muscle. Coloration is bay, gray, brown or dun.
The ponies are often kept semi-wild, ranging the mountainous interior of the island until they are needed at the harvest for threshing grain. Skyroi are also used as pack horses, harness horses, for riding and as sires or mares for hinnies or mules.
As of 2001, there were ninety-three breeding mares and fifty-two studs. It is not clear if all members of the herd are pure-bred. The breed is considered by many to be endangered, although no government or international authority has made such a declaration. Nevertheless the existence of such small numbers of ponies is conducive to inbreeding and is therefore likely to endanger the ponies' survival even further.
A possible obstacle to the recovery and expansion of the herd is a ban on exportation of the animal from the island. The export of Skyros-derived hinnies or mules is not illegal, and consequently there is a great economic incentive to breed hybrids for export instead of purebred ponies to continue the bloodline. A group called the Silva Project is currently working to rescind the export ban and promote the foundation of Skyros herds elsewhere in Greece and abroad
The breed is distinguished by its relatively small stature compared to other Greek ponies, standing a mere eleven hands. The Skyros possesses a small head on on a short neck and narrow body, with little muscle. Coloration is bay, gray, brown or dun.
The ponies are often kept semi-wild, ranging the mountainous interior of the island until they are needed at the harvest for threshing grain. Skyroi are also used as pack horses, harness horses, for riding and as sires or mares for hinnies or mules.
As of 2001, there were ninety-three breeding mares and fifty-two studs. It is not clear if all members of the herd are pure-bred. The breed is considered by many to be endangered, although no government or international authority has made such a declaration. Nevertheless the existence of such small numbers of ponies is conducive to inbreeding and is therefore likely to endanger the ponies' survival even further.
A possible obstacle to the recovery and expansion of the herd is a ban on exportation of the animal from the island. The export of Skyros-derived hinnies or mules is not illegal, and consequently there is a great economic incentive to breed hybrids for export instead of purebred ponies to continue the bloodline. A group called the Silva Project is currently working to rescind the export ban and promote the foundation of Skyros herds elsewhere in Greece and abroad