Kerry Bog PonyStudbook
Up to the 1960s Kerry Bog Ponies had been used for taking milk to the creameries, bringing turf in from the bog and harvesting seaweed. Increased mechanisation and changes in farming practice meant that the ponies were no longer needed in their traditional role. In the 1990s John Mulvihill from Glenbeigh, Co Kerry became aware that these ponies had disappeared from view and were almost extinct.
His searches found that in 1992 only 20 mares and six stallions were known to exist. These ponies were unrelated to both Connemara ponies and Irish draught horses, represented by their own unique gene pool likely descended from western Europe.
A careful breeding programme was implemented and in 2011 there were over 350 Kerry bog ponies in Ireland. This rare breed is an ideal family pony, full of character and fun. Generations of use on small farms has produced a pony of calm temperament, willing and able to perform in a wide range of disciplines.
Breeding Objectives & Standards
The characteristics of the Kerry Bog Pony (KBP) are as originally defined in 1994 and as re-affirmed unanimously as the Breed Standard by the Kerry Bog Pony Co-operative in 2005.
Size:
This is a small pony evolved as such because of its use as a draught animal in the bogs of Kerry over the centuries. Thus, the height of the Kerry Bog pony is 102cms – 117cms for Stallions and Geldings and 102cms – 112cms for Mares.
Colour:
Any strong whole colour is to be found, but colour is generally brown or brownish black and bay. Some chestnut, grey and dun colours are also to be found.
Coat:
The coat of the KBP is long and dense and easily capable of withstanding harsh winter conditions without shelter.
Head:
The head is pleasant plain and of average size and rather dish-faced. Ears are small and pointed. Nostrils allow large air intake relative to body size. The jaw is strong and well formed with excellent dentition to facilitate grazing on heath, gorse and heather.
Body:
Neck is strong and medium length. The shoulder is rounded and muscular. The body is strong and compact. The chest is deep with well-sprung ribs and good girth. Loins are powerful and the hindquarters are strong and well-formed. The tail is full, abundant and well set and well carried.
Legs:
Forelegs are strong and muscular with a strong forearm. Hindlegs are muscular and powerful. The cannon bone is short with flat hard bone of good size. Pasterns are short and the hooves upright and wide open and well-formed of hard horn requiring very little trimming.
Action:
The KBP is a powerful pony with good bone and great weight and strength relative to its size. This together with its excellent conformation gives the pony a lovely straight and level action with good balance. This intelligent pony is sure footed and well capable of thinking for itself in the soft underfoot conditions of Kerry bogs.
Irish Kerry Bog Pony Registration
For information on registering your Kerry Bog Pony please contact [email protected]
Irish Kerry Bog Pony Studbook Inspections
The Kerry Bog Pony Co—operative carry out KBP inspections to support breed preservation. Please visit their website for further information.
