Pottok

{{Short description|Breed of pony}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2020}} {{Infobox horse breed |name= Pottok |image= Pootok arra Orbelaunen.JPG |image2=File:Pottok SDA2010.JPG |image_caption=Pottoka in the Pagoeta Nature Reserve. |features = small, large head, heavy winter coat |altname= {{ubl|Pottoka|Pottock}} |standard = |country= Basque Country |group1=Les Haras Nationaux (France) |std1=http://www.pottok.net/docs/studbook.pdf |group2=Ingurumen, Lurralde Plangintza, Nekazaritza Eta Arrantza Saila; Departamento de Medio Ambiente, Planificación Territorial, Agricultura y Pesca |std2=http://www.pottoka.info/files/REGLAMENTACION_ESPECIFICA_DE_LA_RAZA_POTTOKA.pdf |group3= Schweizerischer Verband für Ponys und Kleinpferde; Fédération Suisse des Poneys et Petits Chevaux |std3=http://www.svpk.ch/deutsch/html/zucht/rassen/pottok_a.html |note= }}

The '''Pottok''' or '''Pottoka''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|p|ɒ|t|ə|k|,_|-|k|ə}} or {{IPAc-en|p|ə|ˈ|t|j|ɒ|k|,_|-|k|ə}}, {{langx|eu|pottoka}} {{IPA|eu|poˈcoka|}}), is an endangered, semi-feral breed of pony native to the Pyrenees of the Basque Country in France and Spain.

It is considered an ancient breed of horse, particularly well adapted to the harsh mountain areas it traditionally inhabits.

Once common, it is endangered through habitat loss, mechanization and crossbreeding but efforts are increasingly made to safeguard the future of this breed. It is considered iconic by the Basque people.

==Etymology== ''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".<ref name=Trask>Trask, L. ''Etymological Dictionary of Basque'', edited for web publication by Max Wheeler, University of Sussex 2008</ref> Ultimately the name is linked to words such as ''pottolo'' "chubby, tubby".<ref name=Trask/>

In French sources, the spelling Pottok predominates. In English, both Pottoka and Pottok are encountered<ref name=Trask/><ref>Morris, M. ''Euskara Ingelese Hiztegia'' Klaudio Harluxet Fundazioa: 1998 {{ISBN|84-89638-13-6}}</ref> but the term Basque Pony can occasionally also be encountered.<ref name=Moro>Moro, P. & Intxausti de Casal, JI ''Estudio zoométrico en la raza poni vasco-pottoka'' Archivos de zootecnica Vol 47 Num 178–179, 1998</ref>

==Origins== [[Image:Ekainberriko zaldiak.jpg|thumb|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.<ref name=Moro/> It displays signs of genetic isolation and is genetically closest to breeds like the Asturcón, the Losino, the Galician, the Landais,<ref name=Moro/> and the Monchino horses.<ref name="monchino">{{citation|url=http://www.ucm.es/info/genetvet/genetic_structure_caballo_monchin_horse.pdf|author=Tupac-Yupanqui|title= Caracterización genética del caballo monchino y su relación con otras razas autóctonas españolas |year=2011 |journal=Arch. Zootec. |volume=60 |number=231 |pages=425–428|doi=10.4321/S0004-05922011000300027|access-date=2011-10-19 |language=es|display-authors=etal|doi-access=free}}</ref> 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.<ref name=Moro/> thumb|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.<ref name=Zientzia2>Aizpuru, ML ''Pottoka: Liraina, librea, aintzinakoa'' [https://zientzia.eus/artikuluak/pottoka-liraina-librea-aintzinakoa/ Elhuyar Zientzia], retrieved 7.1.2026</ref>

[[Image:Pottokak armarrian.JPG|thumb|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.<ref name=Andonegi>Andonegi, G. ''Euskal Herriko zaldiak'' [https://zientzia.eus/artikuluak/euskal-herriko-zaldiak/ Elhuyar Zientzia], retrieved 7.1.2026</ref> This variability in the Pottok and the Basque Mountain Horse appears to be related to the fact males range more widely and mate with more females in these feral or semi-feral herds.<ref name=Andonegi/>

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

==Habitat== Its traditional range extends west as far as the Biscayan Encartaciones and east roughly as far as the Saint-Jean-le-Vieux area.<ref name=Zientzia2/> 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.<ref name=Zientzia2/> Competition with sheep and more recently commercial forestry has also infringed on the Pottok's natural habitat.<ref name=Zientzia2/>

The traditional core habitat are the mountains of Labourd and Navarre from about 1.500m upwards, generally on poor acidic soil and limestone formations.<ref name=Zientzia2/>

==Characteristics== The Pottok measures {{convert|1.15|to|1.47|m|hands|1|lk=out|abbr=off}} in height and weighs between {{convert|300|and|350|kg|lb|0}}. It has a large, square head, small ears, short neck and long back with short but slim legs and small, sturdy hooves.<ref name=Zientzia2/>

thumb|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 {{convert|10|cm|in}} in length on young horses.<ref name=Zientzia2/> The archetypal coat colorations are in the bay range with no patterning, but today various shades of brown and black exist in Pottok herds.<ref name=Zientzia2/> Pottok pintos first appeared in Biscay in the 1850s and have spread to parts of Navarre and Labourd since.<ref name=Zientzia2/>

There are noticeable differences between mountain herds of Pottok and valley or flatland herds, with mountain horses generally being smaller.<ref name=Zientzia2/> The official French breed standard distinguishes two types, the {{lang|fr|Pottok de Montagne}} or Mountain Pottok, with a height range of {{convert|1.15|–|1.32|m|hands|1|abbr=on}}, and the larger {{lang|fr|Pottok de Prairie}} or Plains Pottok, which has a height range of {{convert|1.20|–|1.47|m|hands|1|abbr=on}}.<ref name=haras>[http://www.pottok.net/docs/studbook.pdf Standard officiel de la race Pottok] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120424032030/http://www.pottok.net/docs/studbook.pdf |date=24 April 2012 }} Les Haras Nationaux 2005 (in French) Accessed August 2011 "Official standard of the Pottok breed"</ref>

The Government of Biscay carried out research into some 250 horses of the Pottok population of Biscay, both wild and stabled, in 1996–97.<ref name=Moro/> The census revealed that the majority of semi-feral Pottoks in Biscay live in the far northwest of the province, in the Encartaciones.<ref name=Moro/> These semi-feral herds are rounded up twice a year, once in March before birthing and once in October after weaning.<ref name=Moro/> The survey also concluded that the main characteristics of the Biscayan population were:<ref name=Moro/> *black or blackish coats dominating (73%), followed by bays with (19%) *height range {{convert|1.15|to|1.30|m|hands|1|abbr=out}}, average height {{convert|1.256|m|hands|1|abbr=on}} *long, slim legs with black hooves *large, heavy heads *a heavy winter coat (the ''borra'')

===Behavior=== Semi-feral Pottoks tend to be shy and live in small territorial herds or harems numbering between 10 and 30 mares.<ref name=Zientzia2/> They are able to predict the weather conditions, moving into the valleys in anticipation of bad weather and upland when high pressure builds.<ref name=Zientzia2/> During the autumn the herd breaks up into smaller groups of 5–10 horses and reunites in spring.<ref name=Zientzia2/>

Foals mature quickly. Fillies become fertile at age 2, normally mate at age 3 and give birth at age 4, which is also the age of maturity for males.<ref name=Zientzia2/> Foals, like those of other breeds, are born after 11 months during spring/early summer and are weaned after 6–7 months.<ref name=Zientzia2/>

===Cross-breeding=== [[Image:Pottok-Ainhoa.jpg|thumb|200px|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.

==Use== [[Image:1872 nafarroa.jpg|thumb|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.<ref name=Zientzia2/> From the 16th century onwards, they became popular as circus horses but also as pit ponies in France and Britain.<ref name=Zientzia2/> Today, they are in demand as children's ponies because they adapt well to domestication.

==Conservation== 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.<ref name=Bol373>''Decree 373/2001'' Boletín N. 2002014 – 21 January 2002, Government of Euskadi; retrieved 18.11.2009</ref> Its status was classified as endangered.<ref name=Bol373/>

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 13 December at the Santa Lutzi Feria

===Studbooks=== In the Northern Basque Country, two studbooks for the Pottok were set up in 1970. Crossbreds, covered under Book B, must have at least 50% Pottok blood, while Book A covers those of higher purity.<ref name=ANP>[http://www.pottok.net/index.php?theme=pottok&sujet=livresab Association Nationale du Pottok], accessed August 2011</ref> Horses in Book A are divided into two types, the Mountain Pottok and the Plains Pottok. Only horses which live for a minimum of nine months in the year in semi-feral conditions in a harem containing mares, foals and stallions in the mountainous areas of la Rhune, Baïgorry, Ursuya and Artzamendi are considered Mountain Pottoks.<ref name=haras/>

The breed standard specifies:<ref name=haras/> *robust, intelligent horse *short, forward-facing ears *short neck with a thick mane to the withers *broad chest, long back *short, sloping croup with a thick tail *small, hard hooves *height of {{convert|1.15|–|1.32|m|hands|1|abbr=on}} at the withers for the Mountain Pottok, and {{convert|1.20|–|1.47|m|hands|1|abbr=on}} for the Plains Pottok *coat in black, bay or brown or chestnut. Colour may also include pinto but not gray

In the Southern Basque Country, the criteria specify:{{citation needed|date=August 2011}} *Type A: Purebreds with original coat types in black or bay with a height of {{convert|1.30|m|hands|1|abbr=on}} or less. *Type B: Purebreds with any coat type up to {{convert|1.40|m|hands|1|abbr=on}} in height. *Type C: Crossbreds with at least 50% Pottok blood up to {{convert|1.40|m|hands|1|abbr=on}} in height.

According to an atlas of Basque breeds compiled by IKT Nekazal Ikerketa eta Teknologia (Agricultural Research and Technology), there were 986 Pottoks in the Basque Autonomous Community in 1997; 40 in Álava, 849 in Biscay and 97 in Gipuzkoa.<ref>Gómez, M. ''Razas Autóctonas Vascas'' IKT Nekazal Ikerketa eta Teknologia S.A.: 1997; {{cite web |url=http://www.nekanet.net/razas/ |title=Euskal Herriko Bertako Arrazak-Razas Autóctonas Vascas |access-date=2009-11-21 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090629002356/http://www.nekanet.net/razas/ |archive-date=29 June 2009 |df=dmy-all }} retrieved 21.11.2009</ref>

In 2005 Switzerland was the only other country holding a studbook recognised by the French breed standard and regulations. This has been kept since 2000 by the Swiss Pottok Society, which since 2004 is a member of the Swiss Society for Ponies and Small Horses SVPK.<ref>[http://www.svpk.ch/ Schweizerischer Verband für Ponys und Kleinpferde; Fédération Suisse des Poneys et Petits Chevaux], retrieved 19.11.2009</ref>

==Pottoks in popular culture== *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.

==References== {{Reflist}}

*''The Basque Country'' (2002), Yasna Maznik, Hachette UK. {{ISBN|1-84202-159-1}}

==External links== {{Commons|Pottok|Pottok}} {{Commons category|Pottoka}} *{{in lang|fr}} [http://pottok.anp.free.fr/ French National Pottok Association] *{{in lang|en}} [http://www.pottoka.info Basque Pottoka Federation]

Category:Horse breeds Category:Feral horses Category:Basque domestic animal breeds Category:Horse breeds originating in Spain Category:Horse breeds originating in France