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Equines
Eriskay
Watchlist; Category 1, Critical.
Throughout the 20th century the ponies which were found in the Hebrides were known as Western Isles Ponies. These docile animals were the working ponies of the crofters. They were invaluable to the island inhabitants who used them to carry pannier baskets of peat for winter fuel and seaweed from the shore to fertilise the land. They were also used for light ploughing.
With the onset of mechanisation, and a decline in the local population as people moved to the mainland, the breed steadily declined in numbers. By 1968 the only Western Isles ponies left were on the islands of Uist and Eriskay. The Breed Society was founded to conserve the remaining animals, and the breed name established as the Eriskay.
The Eriskay is a grey pony although occasionally other colours may be seen. Newborn foals can be black, bay or roan in colour but this gradually fades to the grey coloration seen in the adults. They have excellent temperament, and are strong and sturdy, standing up to 13.2hh, and ideally suited to the harsh environment of the Scottish Western Isles.
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