{"id":935,"date":"2010-08-09T13:38:46","date_gmt":"2010-08-09T13:38:46","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.theequinest.com\/breeds\/?p=935"},"modified":"2025-02-03T18:19:27","modified_gmt":"2025-02-03T18:19:27","slug":"nooitgedacht","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theequinest.com\/breeds\/nooitgedacht","title":{"rendered":"Nooitgedacht Pony"},"content":{"rendered":"

Intro<\/h3>\n

The Nooitgedacht is one of the only breeds that are actually native to South Africa and they are notable as the only true descendants of Basuto Ponies<\/a>. Today they are an incredibly rare breed.
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Origins<\/h3>\n

This breed originally comes from Asian animals and have evolved over years of selective breeding and geographical conditions in the eastern Transvaal region. They have genetic similarities to to the Cape Horse<\/a>, but they are smaller animals. This is an inherently strong breed and they have no problem carrying a full grown man. <\/p>\n

Development of the Nooitgedacht began in 1951, when the South African Department of Agriculture bought a small herd of Basuto-type ponies to the Nooitgedacht Research Station. In part this was to save the Basuto pony and part to establish a native animal suited to local conditions. <\/p>\n

The breeding was strictly controlled to avoid inbreeding, part-bred Arabian<\/a> and Boer<\/a> blood was added on a limited basis. This highly systematic breeding resulted in an animal with uniform characteristics and in 1967 several studs were established for the breed. <\/p>\n

In 1968 The Nooitgedacht Breeders’ Foundation was established by participating breeders to establish standards for the type. By 1976 the Nooitgedacht Pony became South Africa’s first indigenous pony breed. While it is called a pony, the range in sizes includes small horses as well. <\/p>\n

The Nooitgedacht is listed as endangered in the DAD-IS and as of 2025 there are between 600 and 798 left (this is up from 2024 numbers). <\/p>\n

Features<\/h3>\n

Average height 13.2 – 15 hands<\/p>\n

Physique<\/h3>\n

Head is dry with a straight or slightly concave profile
\nEyes are large and open
\nNeck is relatively long and muscular
\nChest is deep
\nBack is straight
\nLegs are square and well mounted with flat joints
\nHooves is high and small<\/p>\n

Traditional Colors<\/h3>\n

Solid colors<\/a> and roan<\/a><\/p>\n

Temperament<\/h3>\n

Loving and kind
\nEnjoys people<\/p>\n

Use<\/h3>\n

Riding pony
\nLight draft<\/p>\n

Helpful Links<\/h3>\n

* all links open in a new window<\/small>
\nNooitgedacht Horse Breeders Society<\/a><\/p>\n

More Images<\/h3>\n
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\n\"Nooitgedacht\n<\/div>\n
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Video<\/h3>\n