by Constance Keasler

Created on: March 31, 2010

In the strictest of terms when defining breeds the title should read Pony Breed: Pottock instead of Horse Breed: Pottock because the Pottock ranks in the group of ponies due to its weight, height, body build, gait, and surface area. The Pottock pony remains indigenous to France and is still somewhat wild, living without man in the mountains. The Pottock is considered a “plain Jane” in the pony world but it very hardy and tough. The Pottock is found primarily in a mountain environment and is considered warm blooded with a post-ice age origin.

Types

The three types recognized; the Standard, the Pinto and the Double Pottock. The Standard and the Pinto are from eleven to thirteen hands high and the Double Pottock is from twelve and two tenths to fourteen and two tenths hands high.

Influences

The Arabian influence contributes to the Pottock’s temperament, and soundness and the Welsh B contributes to the overall substance and good bones. Some theories to the origin place the Pottock as descendants of Magdalenian horses from the BC era.

Breeding

Some success in upgrading the breed are achieved when breed with the Arabian or the Welsh. The Breed is a descendant of the Tarpan and it was used as a pack pony for years in the Basque region of mountains.

Characteristics

The hooves are strong and sound; the legs generally lack bone and are light. It has an over loaded shoulder area and a straight back. The hindquarters slope down and are shorter but the pony’s tail is carried higher. The Pottock is resourceful, hardy, easily managed, sure-footed and obedient. Some conformational imperfections exist including a concave area between the eyes.

Colors

The most common colors for the Pottock are brown, bay, chestnut, pinto and part bay and brown.

Uses

For generations the Pattock was used as a pack pony in the French mountains and it does well as a saddle horse for riding. In Europe harness racing is quite prevalent and the Pottock is sometimes used in harness racing but it is more often seen with a harness performing work or pulling a carriage. In the past the ponies have been used for smuggling and mining.

Population

The breed numbers continue to decline due to reduced space and crossbreeding. In the middle of the 21st century there are estimated to be less than 150 pure bred Pottock mares in France in the Basque region.

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