Baladi, Balearic Horse, Bali Pony, Balikun Horse, Baluchi Horse, Banat, Bandiagara Horse, Ban-ei and Banker Pony

Baladi

Intro

Also called Egyptian Horse the Baladi is an Egyptian horse of questionable bloodlines.

Origins

The Egyptian Horse is no longer an individual breed as it once was. There has been significant “Arabization” of the indigenous horses of Egypt, due to the short distance between Arabia and the Nile. The resulting animals come from a combinations of Arabian bloodlines and are unable to be registered.

An influx of English Thoroughbred blood was added for increased speed & size but because of their lack of papers these animals are shunned by breeders & tribesmen.

Although they are still magnificent animals and often faster over short distances, (but not as hardy over distance as the pureblood Arabian).

Features

Average height 14.3 hands

Physique

Short, dished and refined
Small muzzle with large nostrils
Big expressive eyes
Short curved ears

Temperament

Spirited
Intelligent
Bold

Use

Racing
Pleasure
Showing

Balearic Horse

Intro

This breed is found on the island of Majorca off the southern coast of Spain. Unfortunately very few formal records have been kept on the Balearic horse. That combined with their isolation has kept their bloodlines pure and their numbers down.

Origins

One of the rarest breeds still alive today, the Balearic horse is of unknown, yet ancient origin. The breed is distinctly different from other Iberian breeds, even those on neighboring Belearic islands.

Some believe that the breed is descendant of the horses of Ancient Greece because of their likeness to the animals portrayed in Greek artifacts and art.

Features

Average height 14 hands

Physique

Small head with convex profile
Short, thick, arched neck
Slender legs

Traditional Colors

chestnut | grey | bay

Use

Farm animal
Transportation
Harness horse
Riding horse
Show horse

Bali Pony

Intro

Found on the Indonesian island of Bali, this pony is an incredibly healthy and self-sufficient animal. Their size, strength and stature is more a product of the local needs than any real selective breeding.

Origins

The origin of the Bali pony is unknown, however they are thought to have been brought to Indonesia by the Chinese in the 6th century. These original bloodlines may have been crossed with horses from both India and the Netherlands during the 18th century.

Lack of any serious breeding program has left their confirmation quite unrefined, but given them a great deal of natural strength through natural selection. Healthy and self-sufficient, these animals rarely require shoes because their feet are so hardy.

Features

Average height 11.3 – 13 hands
Incredibly strong for their small size

Physique

Head is large with straight profile
Small ears and almond shaped eyes
Short, straight neck
mane is bristly and stands upright
Short, upwardly curved back
Legs are strong with good joints and hard hooves

Traditional Colors

Generally Dun with primitive markings but other colors can be found

Temperament

Independent and tough

Use

Pack animal
Trekking animal
Riding horse

Balikun Horse

Intro

A rare light draft breed, the Balikun horse is well adapted for harsh environment and is used mainly for transportation.

Origins

Descendants of Kazakh and Mongolian horses, the Balikun horses have been selectively bred for over 200 years and are a native breed of China.

Features

Average height 12.2 – 13.1 hands
Tough and well adapted to harsh habitat

Physique

Heavy head with small ears
Short, thick, muscular neck
Back is short and flat
Powerful hindquarters
Strong legs with sound feet
Coat is very thick and dense

Traditional Colors

chestnut | bay

Temperament

Willing and able

Use

Transport
Riding horse
Cart horse

Baluchi Horse

Intro

Easy to identify because of their turned in ears (similar to those of the Marwari horse), the Baluchi horse is native to Pakistan.

Origins

Thought to be of Barb descent, this breed is known for its strength, endurance and fine confirmation.

Today the bloodlines have been diluted to the point there are very few of pure lineage, making this an incredibly rare breed.

Features

Average height 14 hands

Physique

Medium sized fine head with straight or slightly convex profile
Eyes are large and expressive
Ears are long and curve inwards
Neck is long and muscular
Back is short and strong
Legs are fine and strong with good joints and defined tendons
Feet are very hard and strong

Traditional Colors

black | grey | bay

Use

Pleasure riding horse
Sport horse
Cart horse

Beledougou

Origins

The Beledougou also called the Banamba is a variety of the West African Barb (with Arabian influence) and was developed in Mali, Africa. The Baluchi horse is related to the West African Barb through the Beledougou.

There is very little information about this breed.

Banat

Intro

The Banat was a moderately large-framed quality horse which was used for draught and tractive power. This breed is now extinct.

Origins

This breed was a large light horse from the Timus Plateau of Romania. They were developed by crossing the Nonius, Noric, Ardennes, Oldenburg, and Lipitsa. They became an important animal to the local people and were used primarily for agricultural work.

Unfortunately, with the emergence of modernization techniques for farming, the Banat, among other draft type animals fell into extinction.

Physique

With the influence of so many breeds a standard was never agreed upon.

Use

Agriculture work

Bandiagara Horse

Intro

The Bandiagara horse is a mid-sized and docile horse breed from Mali and Niger in Africa.

Origins

This breed is a Barb type with fragile and lovely facial features. For the most part, this breed type is suited to the climatic harshness of the area and highly adaptable.

Features

Average height 14.3 – almost 15 hands

Physique

Neck is short & thick
Chest & shoulder are ample
Back is long with rounded croup
Tail is low set
Legs are think and sinewy
Hooves are hard & small

Traditional Colors

grey | bay

Temperament

Spirited & bold

Use

Transportation
Cart horse

Ban-ei

Intro

The Ban-ei horse is a blend of Percheron, Belgian and Breton blood, specifically bred in Japan for a unique type of horse racing.

Origins

Draft racing or ban-ei keiba is a race in which a draft horse pulls a heavy sleigh over hills for a total of 200 meters. The weight of the sled is the handicap and varies based on the age and track record of each animal.

There was once four draft racetracks in Japan, Iwamizawa, Kitami, Obihiro and Asahikawa. Today the Obihiro is the only remaining track and most of the horses are bred nearby in Hokkaido. Racing has been a tradition on Hokkaido since the regain was first inhabited.

Percheron and Brenton stallions are imported every year to contribute and enhance these bloodlines.

Features

14.3 – 16.1

Physique

Because of the amount of bloodline mixing there is a great deal of variation in the confirmation of the Ban-ei horses.

Traditional Colors

Solid colors

Temperament

Strong and docile

Use

Racing horses
Agriculture work

Video

Banker Pony

Intro

The Banker Pony inhabits the Outer Banks of Carolinas and are also calledShackleford ponies, Banker horses and Ocracoke ponies.

Origins

Believed to have been descendant from Spanish horses brought by some of the first explorers of the area early in the 16th century.

The initial bloodlines of these animals were undoubtedly influenced by English horses as well as Spanish during early exploration. However, their blood has remained relatively pure since due to their isolation

The Banker ponies have been the topic of controversy, some conservationists believe that they are destroying their natural habitat and want them removed. While animal activists believe that if the horses have always been there, they should be allowed to stay in their natural habitat.

Currently the horses on these islands are managed (similar to Assateague ponies) to keep numbers at a sustainable level by the National Park Service.

Features

Average height 13 – 14.3 hands
A tough animal with typical hardy Spanish traits

Physique

Head is simple with broad forehead and generally convex profile
Deep, narrow chest and short back
Often lack chestnuts on hind legs

Traditional Colors

black | chestnut | bay | dun | pinto | buckskin

Temperament

Docile and friendly for wild ponies
Willing to learn and easy to train

Use

Wild horses
Riding pony
Pleasure pony

Helpful Links

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Shackleford Horses
Ocracoke Island

Where to Buy

National Park Service

Video