Hidden away on a group of volcanic islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, is a small and rugged pony with ancient origins and a wild history. The Faroese Pony is one of the world's rarest pony breeds.  It is thought that some of the early ancestors of the ponies arrived in the Faroe Islands with Irish Monks, even before the Vikings arrived. The isolated geography and harsh environment created a small but very strong pony that thrived out in nature and was able to fend for themselves.  In the 18th century there were around 800 ponies in the Faroe Islands. But many were exported and sold, by the mid-twentieth-century the breed had almost disappeared completely. In 1978 a Studbook and an Association to preserve the purebred Faroese Pony was started. Blood samples and DNA testing has shown that they are indeed their very own breed.   They do share many similarities to the Icelandic Horse as well as a close genetic relationship. The gaited gene has also been found in the breed, but due to the extremely limited population, they are not able to breed specifically for gait. There is a small group of dedicated breeders working to save the breed.  Average height is around 12.0hh. They are often ridden by children. But because of their strength, they are also ridden by adults. They have very thick coats and manes. Common colors include: Bay, black, brown and chestnut.   Also known as: The Faroese Island Horse, Føroyska rossið, Færøsk hest, Färöer Pferd, Färöerpony.