Skyros Pony

The Skyros pony is a small native Greek horse from the island of Skyros in the Aegean Sea. It is often described as a pony because of its height, but it has the proportions and hardiness of an island horse: a fine head, compact body, short strong legs, and sure-footed movement over dry, rocky ground. For generations these ponies were used seasonally by island families for threshing, pack work, and transport, then turned out on rough grazing when not needed. Numbers declined sharply in the twentieth century, making the Skyros one of Greece's rarest equine breeds.

Most Skyros ponies today are kept through conservation herds, small breeding groups, or homes that can manage an easy-keeping native pony. They need social turnout and careful grazing control, since rich pasture can cause obesity and laminitis in animals adapted to sparse forage. Their size makes them suitable for children's riding only within sensible weight limits; many are also used for handling education, therapy settings, light driving, and cultural events. Breeding programs watch pedigree, fertility, and type closely because the population is small. For visitors or buyers, it is worth asking whether a program maintains the breed on Skyros as well as in off-island backup herds.

Colors: Amber Champagne, Bay, Bay Dun, Bay Roan, Black, Blanket Appaloosa, Blue Roan, Brown, Buckskin, Champagne, Chestnut, Classic Champagne, Cremello, Dun, Dun Roan, Fewspot Appaloosa, Flaxen Chestnut, Frame Overo, Gold Champagne, Gray, Grey, Grullo, Leopard Appaloosa, Liver Chestnut, Overo, Palomino, Perlino, Piebald, Pinto, Rabicano, Red Dun, Red Roan, Roan, Sabino, Seal Bay, Silver Dapple, Skewbald, Smoky Black, Smoky Cream, Snowcap Appaloosa, Sorrel, Splash White, Tobiano, Tovero, Varnish Roan, White