Breed Spotlight: Pony of the Americas

We wouldn't be Blue Skies without our POA's! These tenacious little packers have larger than life personalities and seem to rule the roost. But since there are a lot of ponies born in america each year, what makes a POA a true Pony of the Americas?

The breed got it's start in 1954 with Leslie Boomhower, who was breeding shetland ponies in Iowa.  A friend offered her a free Arabian/ Appaloosa mare who had accidentally been bred to a shetland stallion.  The colt was born with distinctive appaloosa markings, and became the foundation sire known at Black Hand. Over time the added influences of the american quarter horse, mustang, arabian and welsh pony breed enabled the Pony of the Americas to become one of the most versatile breeds on our continent. 

Originally bred for a rider that is too large for a pony but not large enough for a horse, the current height range is from 11.2- 14.0 hh. They boast large expressive eyes, dished faces, with a miniature quarter horse foundation style body. The breed registry encourages a level head set and movement that mimics a forward moving quarter horse or Appaloosa. A notoriously hardy bred they are plagued by few health problems, although some lighter coated POA's might be prone to sunburns and might require some sun screen. It is not unheard of a POA to live to thirty or beyond. Chances are with over 50,000 registered POAs in America today, you or your equestrian children have spent some time astride a POA. Don't forget to give your favorite POA a hug today!