The Peneia Pony (Greek: άλογο Πηνείας, or Greek: Πινειώτικο άλογο) is a rare breed of pony from the Peloponnese in southern Greece, originating in the former prefecture of Elis, which included the village of Peneia (Pineia).
| Conservation status | Endangered |
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| Country of origin | Greece |
| Distribution | Peloponnese |
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Characteristics
editPeneias generally stand between 10.1 and 14 hands high, and are usually bay, black, chestnut, or gray, although other colors are seen. They have a well-proportioned head with a convex profile and a well-set neck running into low withers, a wide chest, and muscular, sloping shoulders. They have a short back, sloping croup, and long legs with small, tough hooves.[1]
It is a fairly hardy and sure-footed breed, well adapted mountainous terrain.[2] The natural gait of the Peneia breed is fairly stilted, so they are usually taught a smoother gait called the aravani (Greek: αραβάνι) which makes riding more comfortable.[3] Two other names for this breed, the Ravani (Greek: Ραβάνι) and the Georgalídiko (Greek: Γεωργαλίδικο or Γιοργαλίδικο), refer to this smooth gait.[4] These terms can also be used generically, to refer to both the Peneia and the similarly-gaited Messara. The terms giorgalídiko and ravani are derived from the Turkish language yorgala [at] and rahvan [at] (at is Turkish for "horse"). Yorgala describes a lateral ambling gait that is said to resemble that of a camel, while rahvan means "hyperactive". Yorgala is itself derived from the Greek word γοργός (gorgós), meaning "swift."[5]
The Peneia, along with a number of other gaited horses, was the object of a research study to determine the presence of the DMRT3_Ser301STOP mutation, which is associated with gaited horses. It was possible to detect the presence of that mutation in the Peneia with a frequency of 97.1%.[6]
History
editThe breed was founded on an autochthonous Greek variety very possibly related to the Pindos, and later crossed with Anglo-Arab, Anglo-Norman and Nonius strains. It may have originated from Messara ponies who were requisitioned for use on the Pindos front during the Greco-Italian War in 1940 and 1941.[4] Its herdbook was only established in 1995. The breed is found in Elis and Achaea in the northwest of the Peloponnese.[7]
According to Greek Agriculture Ministry statistics, as of 2002 there were two hundred thirty-one breeding mares and sixty-nine stallions.[8] As of 2017, only about one hundred specimens of the breed existed, placing it in danger of extinction.[2]
Uses
editPeneias are used as draft animals, pack animals, and mounts for riding and jumping.[7] The stallions are often used for breeding hinnies.[1] Crosses with the Thoroughbred have produced faster horses, while the Hellenic National Stud Book Society is promoting a new breeding program crossing Peneia stallions with light draft mares.
External links
editVideo
edit- Rider and Peneia pony demonstrating the aravani gait (in Greek)
- News video on Peneia pony festival by ORT (TV channel) (in Greek)
References
edit- ^ a b Bongianni, Maurizio (1988). Simon & Schuster's Guide to Horses and Ponies. Simon & Schuster, Inc. p. 162. ISBN 0-671-66068-3.
- ^ a b Rousseau, Élise (2017). Horses of the World. Princeton University Press. p. 132. ISBN 9780691167206.
- ^ Edwards, Edwyn Hartley (2016). The Horse Encyclopedia. DK Publishing. p. 312. ISBN 9781465456106.
- ^ a b Porter, Valerie (2016). Mason's World Encyclopedia of Livestock Breeds and Breeding. CABI. p. 494. ISBN 9781845934668.
- ^ Δημήτρης Σταθακόπουλος [Dimitris Stathakopoulos] (2017-04-23). "Τα γιοργαλίδικα άλογα – γοργά άτια" [The giorgalidika horses – swift steeds] (in Greek). Καλαβρύτα NEWS. Retrieved 2022-02-03.
- ^ Promerová, M.; Andersson, L. S.; Juras, R.; Penedo, M. C. T.; Reissmann, M.; Tozaki, T.; Bellone, R.; Dunner, S.; Hořín, P.; Imsland, F.; Imsland, P.; Mikko, S.; Modrý, D.; Roed, K. H.; Schwochow, D.; Vega-Pla, J. L.; Mehrabani-Yeganeh, H.; Yousefi-Mashouf, N.; g. Cothran, E.; Lindgren, G.; Andersson, L. (2014). "Worldwide frequency distribution of the 'Gait keeper' mutation in theDMRT3gene". Animal Genetics. 45 (2): 274–282. doi:10.1111/age.12120. PMID 24444049..
- ^ a b Springate, Lynda (1997). "Twenty-five: Principal Pony Breeds of the World". The Encyclopedia of the Horse (reprint ed.). New York: Crescent Books. p. 205, s.v. "Peneia Pony". ISBN 0-517-18461-3.
- ^ "Peneia Pony". EAAP Animal Genetic Data Book. Retrieved December 29, 2007.