Horse Breeds: New Kirgiz, Newfoundland Pony, Noma, Nooitgedacht Pony, Nordland, Noric
Author: Phillipe Wiskell

*NEW KIRGIZ*

When farms in Russia crossed local horses of the Thoroughbred
and the Don, they ended up with the breed called New Kirgiz.
This breed is adapted to highland conditions, and are most often
used for meat, milk production and stock work. New Kirgiz has
short legs and a strong constition. They look much like Don
horses.

The New Kirgiz breed stallions are about 156 cm in height at
the withers, and a body length of 158 cm. Mares of the breed are
slightly smaller in all measurements. Their heads are medium
sized and have low necks, their backs are straight and level
with very muscled croups.

There are three types within the breed, New Kirgiz. There is a
saddle type, a thick and massive type and a standard type.

There are over 56,000 New Kirgiz.

*NEWFOUNDLAND PONY*

A proud aspect of the Newfoundland culture and the history of
the area, the Newfoundland Pony was brought from the British
Isles by early settlers.

The characteristics of the pony includes horses that are 11 to
14 hands in height, have thick mane and tale that is most often
a brownish color. Newfoundland ponies often change color between
the seasons. They weight between 400 and 800 pounds. They have
characteristically good temperaments, and can survive on small
amounts of grass and foods. They are able to survive harsh
winters because of a thick, winter coat that grows for the
coldest months.

Newfoundland ponies are hardworking. They help transport people
by back, or by cart and wagon- mostly before the car was
invented. They hauled firewood and timber. When machinary took
over most of the jobs the ponies were doing, the number of
Newfoundland ponies were drastically reduced. Many thousands of
ponies were sold to meat processing plants in Quebec.

Numbers of Newfoundland Ponies are currently increasing thanks
to restrictions and governmental intervention to help the breed
survive.

*NOMA*

A light draft and riding horse that originated in Noma County,
Japan, the Noma breed is th smallest pony native to Japan that
stands at about 10 hands tall. The breed was developed in the
17th century and descended from Mongolian stock. The status of
the Noma breed is extremely rare, with only about 27 purebreds
in existence. They are preserved as part of local heritage.

*NOOITGEDACHT PONY*

Found in South Africa, in the eastern Transvaal region, the
Nooitgedacht Pony is used for draft and riding purposes. The
breed originated in the 1950's from a mixture of Basuto Pony,
Arab and Boer blood. The breed is very rare.

*NORDLAND*

The origination of the Nordland pony is mostly based on
speculation. Researchers believe the horse came into Norway
during very early times, and that the horses were forced north.
After World War II, the breed was almost extinct. The breed
became scattered because of environmental conditions in Norway,
and each area gave the pony a different name. The ponies in
different areas developed characteristics according to their
environments as well.

There is some belief that the Nordland pony is a combination of
two different types of horse within the same race- the Lyngen in
Troms and another type from within Norland.

The pony's conformation is good with all colors accepted except
for dun and pied. Most dominant however are chesnut horses.
Nordland ponies are easy to train, energetic and of good temper-
they are also very willing to work. They are mostly free from
health problems and live to about the age of 30.

Most people use Nordland ponies for riding, as a pack horse or
for driving. They are great jumpers and show ponies. Their
current status is rare.

*NORIC*

The Noric, or the Noriker, has lived and bred for over 2000
years in Austria.

The Noric breed has undergone numerous changes in
characteristics over the years of their existence, due to
selective breeding and natural selection. As the landscape and
climate changed, the horses became more of a versatile, cold
blooded breed of heavy weight. These horses could be used as
carriage horses, riding horses, and knights during the Middle
Ages.

Noric horses differ from other draft or heavy breeds in a
variety of ways. Noric horses have personality, nerves, and are
qualified work horses. Most have endurance and a tame character
alongside a toughness that has been necessary for the rough
environment of their native land. Norics are not as heavy as
Belgian or Percheron horses, and so are best suited for working
in the Alpine ofrest. They are economical horses.

Now, Norics are becoming sport horses, and are used as riding
and driving horses. Because of increases in ecological
awareness, Noric horses are often used instead of machinary to
work in alpine regions. They carry tourists in carriages. The
breed is not as fertile as most people hope.

The Noric stallions tend to be about 155 cm in height at the
withers, and are found in black, chestnut and bay colors, as
well as a small percentage of leopards and roans.


About The Author: Phillipe Wiskell is a writer for
http://www.HorseClicks.com, popular classifieds of horses for
sale (http://www.horseclicks.com/horses/), used trailers
(http://www.horseclicks.com/trailers/used/) and ranches for sale
(http://www.horseclicks.com/properties/ranch/).