What do you get when you take the flashy appearance of the Appaloosa, the build of the Quarter Horse, and the elegance of the Arabian? The answer? The Pony of the Americas.

History

The Pony of the Americas was first developed in the 1950s. As you might guess, the breed is a true American breed – Les Boomhower, a breeder in Iowa, is responsible for the breed's formation. Boomhower owned a stallion who was a cross between an Arabian, an Appaloosa, and a Shetland Pony. This stallion, named Black Hand, displayed Appaloosa markings and had an excellent disposition. Boomhower wanted to replicate the stallion’s traits, hoping to pass the Appaloosa coloring onto a breed of smaller ponies.

Boomhower created the Pony of the Americas Club in 1954, and Black Hand was the first horse to be registered. Black Hand became the foundation stallion for the Pony of the Americas. Boomhower envisioned the breed producing medium-sized ponies that could be ridden by both children and small adults. The ponies would ideally have both the strong bone structure of a Quarter Horse with the refined appearance of the Arabian. And, of course, they would display the brilliant coat colors of the Appaloosa.

As the Pony of the Americas breed evolved and became more refined, most of the Shetland bloodlines have been bred out. Over 50,000 ponies were registered with the Pony of the Americas Club by 2012, attesting to the breed’s popularity and rapid growth.

Breed Characteristics

The Pony of the Americas is a medium-sized pony that typically stands between 11.2 and 14 hands high. The breed's build is quite similar to that of the Quarter Horse, with good muscling and bone to withstand rigorous work. The influence of the Arabian can be seen in the pony's slightly concave and refined head.

In order to be registered with the Pony of the Americas Club, ponies must exhibit loud Appaloosa coloring that is visible from 40 feet away. Crosses can also be registered if they meet the criteria, and acceptable crosses include Thoroughbred, Morgan, Connemara, and Australian Stock Horse blood. The breed is known for having an excellent disposition.

The Breed Today

The Pony of the America's smaller size but strong build means that it can be ridden by both children and small adults. Because of its excellent disposition, the Pony of the Americas makes a popular child mount. This breed excels in ranch and stock work, hunting, trail riding, and endurance riding. It is also a strong show competitor.

The Pony of Americas continues to grow in popularity today. To learn more about this breed, visit the breed's official site.

Image Source: ingimage.com

Original Source: The Pony of the Americas