{"id":242,"date":"2010-08-09T00:17:43","date_gmt":"2010-08-09T00:17:43","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.theequinest.com\/breeds\/?p=242"},"modified":"2025-04-02T13:42:43","modified_gmt":"2025-04-02T13:42:43","slug":"banker-pony","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theequinest.com\/breeds\/banker-pony","title":{"rendered":"Banker Pony"},"content":{"rendered":"

Intro<\/h3>\n

The Banker Pony inhabits the Outer Banks of Carolinas and are also called Shackleford ponies, Banker horses and Ocracoke ponies.
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Origins<\/h3>\n

Believed to be descendant of Spanish horses brought by some of the first explorers to the area early in the 16th century. The initial bloodlines of these animals were undoubtedly influenced by English horses as well as Spanish during early exploration. However, their blood has remained relatively pure due to their isolation<\/p>\n

Causing Controversy<\/h3>\n

The Banker ponies have been the topic of controversy, some conservationists believe that they are destroying their natural habitat and want them removed. While animal activists believe that if the horses have always been there, they should be allowed to stay in their natural habitat.<\/p>\n

Currently the horses on these islands are managed (similar to Assateague ponies<\/a>) to keep numbers at a sustainable level by the National Park Service.<\/p>\n

While they don’t appear to be listed in the DAD-IS, the Equus Survival Trust lists them as critical with an estimated population of less than 250.<\/p>\n

Features<\/h3>\n

Average height 13 – 14.3 hands
\nA tough animal with typical hardy Spanish traits<\/p>\n

Physique<\/h3>\n

Head is simple with broad forehead and generally convex profile
\nDeep, narrow chest and short back
\nOften lack chestnuts on hind legs<\/p>\n

Traditional Colors<\/h3>\n

All colors<\/a><\/p>\n

Temperament<\/h3>\n

Docile and friendly for wild ponies
\nWilling to learn and easy to train<\/p>\n

Use<\/h3>\n

Wild horses
\nRiding pony
\nPleasure pony<\/p>\n

Helpful Links<\/h3>\n

*All links open in a new window<\/small>
\nShackleford Horses<\/a>
\nVisit NC<\/a>
\nNorth Carolina Wild Horses<\/a><\/p>\n

Where to Buy<\/h3>\n

National Park Service<\/a><\/p>\n

More Images<\/h3>\n
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\n\"Banker\n<\/div>\n
\n\"Banker\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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\n\"Banker\n<\/div>\n
\n\"Banker\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Video<\/h3>\n