Pindos Pony
The Pindos pony, also known as the Thessalonian, is an ancient breed that was traditional raised in the Thessaly and Epirus regions of ancient Greece where it continues to be bred today. Greece is not an ideal climate or environment for raising horses, having harsh weather conditions and a consequently fairly infertile and poor soil. However, these environmental factors have produced an inordinately hardy and enduring pony, whose functional abilities make up for a lack of aesthetic beauty. They are mountain-bred ponies, and have all the accompanying qualities, including noteworthy climbing abilities.
The Pindos pony is now probably somewhat different from its ancestors, who are believed to have largely oriental types and horses brought from the Scythian people, who were well-known for their horsemanship. The Pindos pony is probably a direct descendent of the old Thessalonian breed which was developed by the Greeks and was noted for its courage and beauty.
They are typically very surefooted and are still used to perform many of the task around the local people's small holdings. These may range from agricultural work, plowing the land, working in harness to transport goods, as a pack pony, and also for riding. They have great endurance and stamina and have an extremely sound constitution. The ponies are frugal and can live on minimal rations, are extremely long lived and have very sound legs and feet, rarely going lame. Pindos mares are often used to breed a good stamp of working mule.
In appearance, the Pindos has a rather coarse head with an unattractive small eye. The neck and back are of reasonable length. They are light and narrow through the frame, with poor and underdeveloped quarters, and a high-set tail of seemingly oriental influence. The legs are fine in bone, with small joints, but they are strong and the hooves are very tough. The Pindos has a reputation for being difficult and stubborn. The coat colors are mostly dark, such as bay, black, and dark gray and they stand at up to 13 hh.