Basuto Pony (Basotho)
The Basuto Pony is found in Lesotho, which is an enclave of South Africa. It is used for exclusively for riding and only cattle are used for draft purposes in Lesotho purposes. The Basuto Pony was developed from the Cape Horse during the period after 1825. By the early 20th century the breed has almost disappeared due to exportation and crossing with Arab and Thoroughbred horses. During the latter part of the 20th century a breed society was formed to revive the breed. In addition to the walk, trot and canter, the Basuto as two additional gaits, the tripple and pace.
The Basuto is one of the best-known pony breeds of South Africa, although not indigenous to the country. It achieved its fame during the 19th century as a warhorse. Although the Basuto is small in size, it is considered a small horse, possessing horse-like characteristics, such as a particularly long stride.
The first horses arrived in South Africa in 1653, when four horses were introduced to the Cape area by the Dutch East India Trading Company. The exact breed of these horses is unknown but they may have been Arabian and Persian. What is likely is that they were similar to the Java pony, and that they were upgraded with Arabian and Persian blood at a later date. These original imports become the founders of the Cape Horse, which became extremely popular and especially gained an admirable reputation during the Boer War. The Cape Horse and the Basuto probably started as one, and then with continual Thoroughbred and Arab blood, the Cape Horse evolved into a larger more quality animal, while the Basuto remained smaller and stockier.
Former Basutoland, now Lesotho, acquired the Cape Horse as spoils of war between the Zulus and the settlers, As a result of the harsh conditions and interbreeding with local ponies, the Cape Horse lost some of its height and nobility and the Basuto pony largely took its place. Due to the rocky and hilly terrain that the ponies were continually ridden over, often at great speed, they developed into a tough, surefooted animals with incredible stamina and bravery, and these excellent qualities were nearby the undoing of the breed. They became so popular that many thousands were exported and them man of the best specimens were killed in action during the Boer War at the end of the 19th century. There is now a concerted effort to re-establish this commendable breed and they are often now used for racing or polo.
In appearance, they have a rather heavy head, a long neck, a long straight back, a rather straight shoulder, and a sloping but muscular croup. Their legs are usually very tough and sound and they have incredibly hard hooves. They stand at anything up to 14.2 hh, but rarely higher, and can be chestnut, brown, bay or gray, and have white markings.
The Nooitgedacht Pony was developed from this breed. After more than forty years
of scientific breeding, dedication and perseverance, the Nooitgedachter is one
of South Africa's truly indigenous horse breeds, descended as it is from the
original Cape Horse. Probably one of the rarest horse breeds in the world, this
magnificent animal is a worthy descendant of the Basuto Pony.