Pottok

Pottoka is the Basque language name for this horse, both north and south of the mountains. In Upper Navarrese, potto and pottoka are generic terms for colts and young horses whereas in Lapurdian and Lower Navarrese the meaning of pottoka is "pony".[1] Ultimately the name is linked to words such as pottolo "chubby, tubby".[1]

In French sources, the spelling Pottok predominates. In English, both Pottoka and Pottok are encountered[1][2] but the term Basque Pony can occasionally also be encountered.[3]

Paleolithic paintings of horses in the Ekainberri cave near Ekain, in Zestoa.

Many opinions exist on the origins of the Pottok. It is deemed by the scientific community to have lived in the area for at least several thousand years.[3] It displays signs of genetic isolation and is genetically closest to breeds like the Asturcón, the Losino, the Galician, the Landais,[3] and the Monchino horses.[4] Tests have revealed considerable genetic differences between populations in the Northern Basque Country and the Southern Basque Country, leading some to consider them separate breeds.[3]

Pottoks bred by the ZAPE Society

Some claim the Pottok's origins derive from the horses on ancient cave paintings in the area and thus claim to descend from the Magdalenian horses of 14,000–7000 BC. Other link its origins to an influx of horses during the Bronze Age. However, neither of these theories has to date been scientifically verified.[5]

Pottoks on a coat of arms in Zestoa.

Genetic research by the University of the Basque Country's Genetics, Physical Anthropology and Animal Physiology department into various genetic markers amongst the 4 indigenous horse breeds in the Basque Country have examined their relationship to other horses. Based on microsatellite tests, of the four Basque horse breeds, the Pottok and the Basque Mountain Horse, are genetically the most distant from other breeds. The others, the Burguete horse and the Jaca Navarra (today considered meat breeds), less so.[6] This variability in the Pottok and the Basque Mountain Horse appears to be related to the fact males mate range more widely and mate with more females in these feral or semi-feral herds.[6]

Research into a known single-nucleotide polymorphism showed this non-native alternation is very rare in purebred Pottoks.[6] Tests of mitochondrial DNA revealed Pottoks are most likely to crossbreed with the Basque Mountain Horses, less so with other breeds.[6] Although some genetic markers of other European horse breeds were found, overall the genetic distance to the other European breeds is large.[6] One marker previously only found in certain British breeds has also been found in Pottoks.[6]

Its traditional range extends west as far as the Biscayan Encartaciones and east roughly as far as the Saint-Jean-le-Vieux area.[5] A census carried out in 1970 found roughly 3.500 purebred Pottoks north of the Pyrenees and approximately 2.000 purebreds to the south, a considerable drop from historic populations, linked to an overall drop in the number of horses being bred and used commercially.[5] Competition with sheep and more recently commercial forestry has also infringed on the Pottok's natural habitat.[5]

The traditional core habitat are the mountains of Labourd and Navarre from about 1.500m upwards, generally on poor acidic soil and limestone formations.[5]

The Pottok measures 1.15 to 1.47 metres (11.1 to 14.2 hands) in height, and weighs between 300 to 350 kilograms (661 to 772 lb). It has a large, square head, small ears, short neck and long back with short but slim legs, and small, sturdy hooves.[5]

Pottoks with the heavy winter coat, (the borra)

The winter fur (borra) is one of the key characteristics of the Pottok and can reach up to 10 centimetres (3.9 in) in length on young horses.[5] The archetypal coat colorations are in bay range with no patterning, but today various shades of brown and black exist in Pottok herds.[5] Pottok pintos first appeared in Biscay in the 1850s and have spread to parts of Navarre and Labourd since.[5]

There are noticeable differences between mountain herds of Pottok and valley or flatland herds, with mountain horses generally being smaller.[5] The official French breed standard distinguishes two types, the Pottok de Montagne or Mountain Pottok, with a height range of 1.15–1.32 m (11.1–13.0 h), and the larger Pottok de Prairie or Plains Pottok, which has a height range of 1.20–1.47 m (11.3–14.2 h).[7]

The Government of Biscay carried out research into some 250 horses of the Pottok population of Biscay, both wild and stabled, in 1996–97.[3] The census revealed that the majority of semi-feral Pottoks in Biscay live in the far northwest of the province, in the Encartaciones.[3] These semi-feral herds are rounded up twice a year, once in March before birthing and once in October after weaning.[3] The survey also concluded that the main characteristics of the Biscayan population were:[3]

• black or blackish coats dominating (73%), followed by bays with (19%)
• Height range 1.15 to 1.30 metres (11.1 to 12.3 h), average height 1.256 m (12.1 h)
• long, slim legs with black hooves
• large, heavy heads
• a heavy winter coat (the borra)

Cross-breeding

Cross-bred pottoks near Ainhoa.

Pottok numbers have been severely reduced by habitat loss and crossbreeding. In the 20th century, piebald Pottoks were bred, particularly for circus use. Stockier ponies for agricultural work were bred by crossbreeding with draught horses, also often with a large variety of coat colours.

They have also been bred with Iberian horses following guidelines of pony clubs, Arabian horses and Welsh ponies. This cross-breeding has left perhaps no more than 150 purebred mares north of the Pyrenees.

A Pottok used by the military in the Third Carlist War.

Their adaptation to mountain life and coloration made them ideal for use by smugglers in former times.[5] From the 16th Century onwards, they became popular as circus horses but also as pit ponies in France and Britain.[5] Today, they are in demand as children's ponies because they adapt well to domestication.

Efforts are now being made to ensure the continued survival of purebred Pottoks. The Pottok was the first Basque horse breed to be included in the list of indigenous Basque breeds requiring conservation efforts in June 1995.[8] Its status was classified as endangered.[8]

Various reserves, for example in Bidarray in Lower Navarre or the ZAPE Society in the Aralar Range have been set up to protect the pony and its environment. There is much debate about how best to increase numbers – whether to focus only on the purebreds or to employ selective crossbreeding to build greater numbers of Pottok-like ponies.

Pottok are shown both at agricultural shows and town festivals:

• Espelette (Labourd) on the last Tuesday and Wednesday in January
• Markina-Xemein (Biscay) on the second Saturday in October at the Euskal Herriko Arrazen Erakusketa ("Basque Country Breeds' Show")
• Zumarraga (Gipuzkoa) on the 13th of December at the Santa Lutzi Feria

• Pottoks featured in the 1935 film Ramuntcho by Réné Barbéris with Louis Jouvet.
• Bayonne's rugby club, Aviron Bayonnais has 'pottoka' as its official mascot.

• The Basque Country (2002), Yasna Maznik, Hachette UK. ISBN 1-84202-159-1

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Pottok.

• (in French) French National Pottok Association
• (in French) Pottok.com
• (in English) Basque Pottoka Federation