Breed: Thessalian pony
Species: Horse
Colour: bay, brown, chestnut or gray
Height: 140 - 150 cm
Country: Greece
Description: This breed has originated in the Thessaly plains since ancient times. It used to provide the Thessalian cavalry with good quality horses. Unfortunately this ancient breed is endangered. The need for larger more powerful horses after the first world war led to the introduction of arab and angloarab stallions. The thessalian horse can be found mainly in Thessaly (mostly crossed with Pindos ponies) and Greek islands were it is used in carriages (eg Spetses). Distribution: Spetses, Hydra, Santorini, Thessaly Population: stallions: 93/ mares: 492 (2001) Risk status: endangered
Morphology: Head: big head, long ears and narrow neck
Uses: riding, draft animal