Java Pony
Encyclopedia
The Java pony is a breed of pony
developed on the island of Java
in Indonesia
. It is thought to have descended from wild forebears of Mongolian Wild Horse ancestry. There are eight breeds native to Indonesia, the others are the Batak Pony
, Gayoe
, Deli pony
, Bali Pony
, Sumba and Sumbawa Pony
(and closely related Sandalwood Pony
) and Timor Pony
.
of Indonesia. The Dutch East India Company played a part in the development of many different Indonesian breeds through their introduction of oriental horses. Their first factory was established on the island of Java during the 16th century and from that time on they have imported harness and pack horses. A large part of the Java's heritage is due to the crossing of local stock with Arabian and Barb horses that were imported.
They are tough, wiry, and light of frame, which may have been due to nutrition deficient diets. The Java is not unremarkable, with a slightly attractive head with long ears and lively, expressive eyes. Their necks are usually quite short and very muscular, and the withers are pronounced, the shoulders reasonably sloping, and their chests deep and wide. They tend to have long backs and a slightly sloping croup with a high tail-set, probably reminiscent of their Arabian ancestry. The legs of this breed are poorly formed but surprisingly strong. They have fine bones with poorly developed joints and long cannon bones, and their feet are hard and tough. The Java can be any color and stands between 11.2 and 12.2 hands high.
The Java Pony is primarily used in agriculture
in rural areas and for the transportation of passengers and goods in the cities. They are privately bred throughout the islands, though breeding is in many cases subsidized by the state, and ponies on various islands of Indonesia have noticeable differences in breed characteristics.
Today's Java pony is not startlingly similar to the Arabian in conformation but does seem to have inherited the Arabian's desert nature and remains highly resistant to heat. It also has inherited the incredible endurance and stamina from the Arab, and in spite of its small, weak-looking frame, can wok relentlessly all day in broiling heat. One of these ponies' main jobs is pulling sados, which are a type of horse-drawn Indonesian taxi. They are often piled high with both goods and people but the Java ponies pull them with little apparent effort. They are also quite useful as pack ponies and for riding, and are used for both professions on the island. Unlike other Indonesian breeds, the Java pony is often ridden with a wooden saddle that has quite extraordinary stirrups. The stirrups have a piece of rope with a loop in the end through which the rider puts his toe. The Java ponies are very willing, quiet, and they have very good temperaments.
Pony
A pony is a small horse . Depending on context, a pony may be a horse that is under an approximate or exact height at the withers, or a small horse with a specific conformation and temperament. There are many different breeds...
developed on the island of Java
Java
Java is an island of Indonesia. With a population of 135 million , it is the world's most populous island, and one of the most densely populated regions in the world. It is home to 60% of Indonesia's population. The Indonesian capital city, Jakarta, is in west Java...
in Indonesia
Indonesia
Indonesia , officially the Republic of Indonesia , is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania. Indonesia is an archipelago comprising approximately 13,000 islands. It has 33 provinces with over 238 million people, and is the world's fourth most populous country. Indonesia is a republic, with an...
. It is thought to have descended from wild forebears of Mongolian Wild Horse ancestry. There are eight breeds native to Indonesia, the others are the Batak Pony
Batak Pony
The Batak Pony is a pony breed from Indonesia. Originating in Central Sumatra, it is thought to have descended from Mongolian Horse and Arabian blood, and has continually been infused with additional Arabian blood to improve its quality...
, Gayoe
Gayoe
The Gayoe, also known as the kuda-Gayo is a pony from the island of Sumatra, found near Aceh. The name is derived from the Gayoe hills in the north of the island....
, Deli pony
Deli pony
The Deli pony is native to the island of Sumatra in Indonesia. Closely related to the Batak Pony, both breeds developed in the Batak hills. The name of the breed most likely came from the large numbers of ponies exported from the port of Deli...
, Bali Pony
Bali Pony
- Characteristics :The Bali ponies are quite hardy and self-sufficient, surviving with little outside care. They are tough animals that are not shod and are remarkably sound, with hard feet, and strong legs...
, Sumba and Sumbawa Pony
Sumba and Sumbawa Pony
The Sumba Pony and Sumbawa Pony are named after the islands on which they are bred -- Sumba and Sumbawa Island respectively. However, the two breeds are very similar. The ponies descended from Mongolian Horses and ancient Chinese stock...
(and closely related Sandalwood Pony
Sandalwood Pony
The Sandalwood Pony originated in Indonesia, on the Sumba and Sumbawa Islands. It is named after the Sandalwood trees, which are a major export of the country. The Sandalwood pony is one of the finest in the country, partly due to the great amount of Arabian blood. They make suitable children's...
) and Timor Pony
Timor Pony
The Timor Pony was developed on Timor Island, likely from Indian breeds of horses and ponies that were imported to the island. The Timor Pony is thought to be closely related to the Flores Pony, which was developed on nearby Flores Island. Both breeds are used by the local people for cattle work, ...
.
Characteristics
Java ponies have a light body with a short neck and a somewhat plain head. The average height is about 1.20 m. They are found in a variety of colors, and are a robust breed noted for working ability and endurance. The lightweight conformation of the breed is well-adapted to the tropical climateTropical climate
A tropical climate is a climate of the tropics. In the Köppen climate classification it is a non-arid climate in which all twelve months have mean temperatures above...
of Indonesia. The Dutch East India Company played a part in the development of many different Indonesian breeds through their introduction of oriental horses. Their first factory was established on the island of Java during the 16th century and from that time on they have imported harness and pack horses. A large part of the Java's heritage is due to the crossing of local stock with Arabian and Barb horses that were imported.
They are tough, wiry, and light of frame, which may have been due to nutrition deficient diets. The Java is not unremarkable, with a slightly attractive head with long ears and lively, expressive eyes. Their necks are usually quite short and very muscular, and the withers are pronounced, the shoulders reasonably sloping, and their chests deep and wide. They tend to have long backs and a slightly sloping croup with a high tail-set, probably reminiscent of their Arabian ancestry. The legs of this breed are poorly formed but surprisingly strong. They have fine bones with poorly developed joints and long cannon bones, and their feet are hard and tough. The Java can be any color and stands between 11.2 and 12.2 hands high.
The Java Pony is primarily used in agriculture
Agriculture
Agriculture is the cultivation of animals, plants, fungi and other life forms for food, fiber, and other products used to sustain life. Agriculture was the key implement in the rise of sedentary human civilization, whereby farming of domesticated species created food surpluses that nurtured the...
in rural areas and for the transportation of passengers and goods in the cities. They are privately bred throughout the islands, though breeding is in many cases subsidized by the state, and ponies on various islands of Indonesia have noticeable differences in breed characteristics.
Today's Java pony is not startlingly similar to the Arabian in conformation but does seem to have inherited the Arabian's desert nature and remains highly resistant to heat. It also has inherited the incredible endurance and stamina from the Arab, and in spite of its small, weak-looking frame, can wok relentlessly all day in broiling heat. One of these ponies' main jobs is pulling sados, which are a type of horse-drawn Indonesian taxi. They are often piled high with both goods and people but the Java ponies pull them with little apparent effort. They are also quite useful as pack ponies and for riding, and are used for both professions on the island. Unlike other Indonesian breeds, the Java pony is often ridden with a wooden saddle that has quite extraordinary stirrups. The stirrups have a piece of rope with a loop in the end through which the rider puts his toe. The Java ponies are very willing, quiet, and they have very good temperaments.
External links
- Java Pony - Equine Kingdom