Pónei da Terceira

The Pónei da Terceira is a Portuguese breed of small horse native to the Atlantic island of Terceira, in the Azores archipelago. It was formally recognised as breed in 2014, after a period of research and recovery lasting some fifteen years.
It is one of four Portuguese breeds, the others being the Garrano, the Lusitano and the Sorraia.

History

The Pónei da Terceira was formally recognised as breed in 2014, after a period of research and recovery lasting some fifteen years; it is the fourth horse breed to receive official recognition in Portugal. A breed association, the italic=no, was constituted in 2010. The programme of recovery and conservation of the remaining population of the horses was overseen by the University of the Azores, which is also the principal breeder – in 2014 it had a breeding herd of over fifty head. The university also manages the conservation programme for the endangered Burro da Ilha Graciosa breed of small donkey.
In 2024 the registered population consisted of stallions and breeding mares, in the hands of 20 breeders.

Characteristics

The Pónei da Terceira is small, with a maximum height of and maximum weight of ; average height at the withers is for stallions and a few centimetres less for mares. Its morphology is that of a horse rather than a pony, with an appearance comparable to that of the Lusitano. The coat may be of any colour; horses with blue eyes are not eligible for registration.