RARE BREEDS TRUST OF AUSTRALIA
powered by TidyHQHorses: British Spotted Pony
Horses: British Spotted Pony
Country of Origin 
England
Australian Status
Lost
International Status
At Risk in United Kingdom.
Uses
Pony clubber, child's mount, driving, games, dressage, jumping, circus.
Breed traits
A good sound pony with distinctive leopard spots. Height from miniature to 14.2 hands. Three types are recognised in the British Society - Miniatures under 47 inches, Riding Ponies, and Cobs. Good flat bone, straight movement and usual good conformation is strived for, so they can perform, not just look pretty. Consistent features are the spotting of various patterns, white eye sclera, striped hooves, and pink around muzzle and inside the ears. If a solid colour is born to registered parents, the solid foal cannot be registered, to keep the spotting gene dominant in the breed.
History
Sometimes erroneously called the English Spotted Pony here. A breed believed to be thousands of years old. A hardy breed, many roam free in places such as Dartmoor in Devon and Wolvercote Common in Oxford. And yes, cross with other ponies in those areas at times resulting in spotted foals.
In Britain, a Society was started to protect them in 1947 - it included spotted horses of several breeds. The ponies became exceedingly popular and many were exported overseas. Concerned they may disappear or be bred out to bigger horses, another Society was formed in 1976 - the British Spotted Pony Society, to register ponies only, under 14.2hh. While colour is the prime concern, the ponies tend to have a good temperament and good conformation, being fostered by breeders for many years to be active and suitable for children, as well as pretty.
It's thought the spotting pattern may go back to prehistoric times, as spotted horses are depicted in cave paintings. The charm of spots were popular throughout history and spotted horses and ponies were seen in Royal stables for centuries.
History in Australia
Arrival in Australia : several in the past, some in 1970's. Although rumoured to be a few in Australia at present, we can find no concrete evidence other than two (very happy to be corrected).
Breed organisation
None in Australia. In England it's the British Spotted Pony Society http://www.britishspottedponysociety.co.uk/shop/4590879492
Australian Population
Approximate 2017 population in Australia : 2 mares
References
A book, The Native British Spotted Pony, by Mary Bassett, is a handy reference.
Photo credit
Lussan, Brittish Spotted Pony, from this breeder's blog http://www.skarpvarn.se/british_spotted_pony.htm
