Welcome to the Equestrian Outreach Faroese Horse Page

The Faroe Pony, Faeroes Pony, Faroese Horse, Føroyar (Danish), Færøerne, Faeroe Island Horse, Føroyska Rossið (Faroe Pony in Faroese) Overview

Information & Photos Provided by Hanna Mohr & Elsa Lydersen

To understand the unique nature of the Faroe pony, it is important to understand the history of Faroe Islands. The Faroese Islands are a remote chain of volcanic islands located in the North Sea between the British Isles and Iceland. There are seventeen inhabited islands, several islets and reefs. A picturesque and small land mass which in total covers about 540 square miles, with a climate which is warmed by ocean currents and is mild with little variation in temperature. The islands are frequently shrouded in fog and rain with approximately 60 inches or 152.4 cms of rain per year. There are no reptiles or indigenous land mammals found in the Faeroe Islands. They are naturally treeless due to the strong western winds and frequent gales. They were first settled by Irish monks in approximately 700 A.D. and were colonized by Vikings around 800. Their remote location and extreme, if not breath taking, environment has produced a remarkably adapted Faroe pony. The Faroe pony is now accepted as a unique breed and this much loved ponies pure bloodlines and unique characteristics are matched only by its parent breed; the Icelandic Horse. Unfortunately the Faroe pony breed is very near extinction and is rarely seen outside the Faroe Islands. Work is underway by the people of the Faroe Islands to restore this breed to sustainable herd sizes.

Faroe Pony Breed History - The early history of the Faroe Islands and its namesake pony are not well known, although Gael (Irish) hermits and monks from a Hiberno-Scottish mission are believed to have settled in the 6th century, introducing sheep and goats and the language; a mix of Gaelic and Hibernian however this is speculation and there is no record that they brought horses with them.
Norsemen settled the islands in the middle of the 9th century, bringing with them the Old Norse language that has evolved into the modern Faroese language spoken today. They also brought their Icelandic Horses which are considered by most to be the original breed stock. However there is a growing volume of genetic and historic information that the Faroese Pony is also related to other breeds such as the Dole Horse, the Eriskay Pony, Exmoor (Celtic) Pony and the Fjord Horse. The remoteness of these islands, its unique environment and needs caused the Icelandic breed to adapt and the Faroe pony was created. In the old days, the pony was used to carry or haul heavy loads at the farms and when it wasn't at work, it was released onto the mountains where it roamed free. Today it is mostly used as a riding horse for Faroese children.
Because of their relatively small size and strength of the Faroe pony they were intensively exported for mining use in the United Kingdom. As a result of this unregulated exportation, in the 1960s there were approximately 5 to 6 horses left on the Faroe Islands. With the huge efforts on the part of the Faroe people, the number has now increased to about 50 horses and the aim is to maintain and develop this unique further. In recent years the Faroe pony has achieved the status of a unique breed.
Faroe Pony Breed Characteristics - The Faroe pony, Faeroes Pony, or Faroese Horse, is a small pony, its height is between 11.1 to 12.1 hands (45 to 49 inches, 114 to 124 cm) Because of its height it is technically a pony, although the people on the Faroe Islands call it a horse because of their love of the breed and it’s strength. The colors of the pony are mainly brown, chestnut and black. The Faroe pony shares similarities with its parent breed the Icelandic horse. Faroe ponies are hardy, long lived, friendly, adaptable, smart, sure footed and are also 5 gaited.

Please Note:

Thanks to Rhys Evans and Anna Louisa Joensen, Face Book Friends for sending the web link for the Faroe Pony Association: www.rossid.com or www.faroehorse.org

Article sources and additional information The Equinest: http://www.theequinest.com/breeds/faroe-pony/
Oklahoma State Breeds and Live Stock List: http://www.ansi.okstate.edu/breeds/horses/faeroes/index.htm
Photos and information courtesy of Wickipedia Faroe Pony: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faroe_pony