The Eriskay Pony ( or Each Èirisgeach) is a breed of pony from Scotland. It is generally grey in colour, and has a dense, waterproof coat that protects it in harsh weather. The breed developed in ancient times in the Hebrides of Scotland, and a small population remained pure and protected from crossbreeding by the remoteness of the islands. It is used for light draught work, driving, and as a mount for children.

The Rare Breeds Survival Trust considers the breed's status to be critical. There are two breed registries for the Eriskay Pony: Comann Each nan Eilean - The Eriskay Pony Society, which was formed in 1972 and has the King Charles III as society patron, Both societies are recognised as holding a studbook of origin for the breed.

Characteristics

thumb|Eriskay ponies at a show

The Eriskay Pony generally stands between . It is usually grey in colour, although a few are bay or black, and never chestnut, piebald, skewbald or white markings.

The winter coat is dense and waterproof to protect from the harsh climate, with a thick mane and tail. The origins of the breed are ancient, with roots in Celtic and Norse breeding. It is related to other northern breeds, including the Icelandic horse and the Faroe pony.

thumb|Eriskay pony on the [[Isle of Lewis in Scotland]]

Today the Eriskay is rare. Its population is considered to be at critical status by the UK-based Rare Breeds Survival Trust, meaning that there are 300 or fewer breeding females registered in the world today. It is possible that the Eriskay is the last surviving Hebridean pony breed. There are two breed Societies each of which are Mother Societies in their own right: The Eriskay Pony Society achieved legal recognition as a breed society and passport issuing organisation for the UK in 1995 and Comann Each nan Eilean - The Eriskay Pony Society, which is based in the Isle of Eriskay, received legal recognition in 2002. Both Societies maintain studbooks which are recognised as studbooks of origin for the Eriskay Pony and Comann Each nan Eilean - The Eriskay Pony Society keeps the original studbooks of the Society for the Preservation of the Eriskay Pony from 1972. Both studbooks have their origins in the original studbook. The aim of both Societies is to preserve the breed by retaining the original genetic material and following a careful breeding programme which slows, as far as possible, the rate of inbreeding. Only stock registered in either of the studbooks is used. In conjunction with the Rare Breeds Survival Trust The Eriskay Pony Society uses the Single Population Analysis Records Keeping System (SPARKS) to provide advice on the genetic suitability of breeding pairs of ponies.

In addition to the domesticated ponies, there is a small herd of Eriskay ponies living in a feral state on the Holy Isle. These ponies are descended from a group of five ponies brought to the Holy Isle to when it was owned by the Universities Federation for Animal Welfare in the 1970s to form a nature reserve. Today the island is owned by the Samye Buddhist Centre for World Peace and Health. They operate a policy of non-intervention, allowing the ponies to live without human interference.

Culture

The Gaelic poet Donald MacDonald (Dòmhnall Aonghais Bhàin) was commissioned by Comann Each nan Eilean - The Eriskay Pony Society to compose a praise poem for the Eriskay pony to commemorate the publication of the original studbook in 1972. The poem makes reference to the pony's position as a crofting animal used to transport seaweed and peat, as well as its genial nature towards children.<blockquote>Bha iad riamh an Èirisgeidh 's gum b' fheumail iad don t-sluagh,

Bha iad troimh na linntean ann sna tìmean chaidh air ruaig;

Thàirneadh iad a' mhòine gu fògairt chur air fuachd

Is làimhsicheadh an òigridh iad 's bha iomadh spòrs 'nan cuairt.</blockquote>

See also

  • List of domesticated Scottish breeds

References

  • Eriskay Pony Society
  • The Eriskay Pony (Purebred)Studbook Society): Comann Each nan Eilean