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Basotho-Pony--/--Basuto-Pony history
The Basuto pony comes from Basutoland, South Africa, but is derived from the Cape Horse of the Cape Province. Traders first imported horses, mostly Arabs and Barbs, into the Cape Province during the 17th century. Further imports of Persian Arabs and Thoroughbreds during the 18th and 19th centuries were crossed with these to produce a rough native horse, the Cape Horse, that was sold in large numbers to the British army in India as cavalry remounts. Around the 1830s, Cape Horses were used in border raids on neighboring Basutoland, and when the raids were over some were left behind to fend for themselves. As a result of in-breeding, harsh terrain climate and poor feed, the Cape Horse deteriorated into the Basuto pony.
The Basuto pony comes from Basutoland, South Africa, but is derived from the Cape Horse of the Cape Province. Traders first imported horses, mostly Arabs and Barbs, into the Cape Province during the 17th century. Further imports of Persian Arabs and Thoroughbreds during the 18th and 19th centuries were crossed with these to produce a rough native horse, the Cape Horse, that was sold in large numbers to the British army in India as cavalry remounts. Around the 1830s, Cape Horses were used in border raids on neighboring Basutoland, and when the raids were over some were left behind to fend for themselves. As a result of in-breeding, harsh terrain climate and poor feed, the Cape Horse deteriorated into the Basuto pony.