Pottoka - Equus ferus f. caballus

Draft text from an e-mail sent by Stichting Taurus

Pottoka is an original breed from Euskal Herria (The Basque Country). It is a sturdy strong animal and very well adapted to the environment of Euskal Herria country side and moulded by it. They Inhabited our mountains and valleys from the Palaeolithic Age (40.000 bc). The beautiful paintings of Esakin and Santimañe caves are witness to this. Up to now the Pottoka has been a loyal and hard working companion. The Pottoka has played an important roll in the basque mythology and tradition. Plus the antiquity of the Pottoka and its personality make her very special.

Regardless that the work "Pottoka" in basque is used in reference to any animal sibling, it began to be used to name all fouls and finally to this particular special breed.

Some drawings and images in Euskal Herria's caves (Ekain, Saltimañe, Etxeberri ...) have as a common theme the horse's head, favourite hunting prize for the primitive hunters of the Madgaliense age. Also, in many bone carvings the Pottoka is represented. By this data we know that the Pottoka has lived in the mountains and valleys of Euskal Herria since the Palaeolithic age. They are a living testimony of the pre-historic horse, a breed that has lived up to date and that has special zootechnical characteristics.

The Pottoka is a sturdy build animal, it has average measurements and a proportionate body, muscular and strong. As for character; they are fast, loyal, and very resilient.

Regardless of being an extraordinary animal, today it is an endangered species. It has been relegated to the mountains and useless corners for various reasons: modern life and the use of engines and machines in agricultural labour, the private property of mountains, and the extensive use of land for productive reasons, the breed and the lack of market for its products.

Nevertheless today the breed is improving in quality and quantity thanks to the protection initiatives. In this sense, a lot can be said of the Associations that have been created for that purpose.

The Pottoka is a lively animal, fast and elegant. It has a clean pace and a firm character. With composure and prudence. The Pottoka has lived free in a natural state and has a very developed sense of survival and defence.

The Pottoka has certain characteristics that make her unique to live in its environment: High maternity rate, rough, character, gratitude, learns quickly, adequate for breeding, and some special morphological qualities such as: beauty, cheap maintenance, etc. These traits make the Pottoka a breed apart and give Euskal Herria an added value. 

The Pottoka roughness and toughness and the little feeding needs make it an ideal animal to keep, and at the same time it gives a great service by cleaning mountains and woods from bush and debris.

For more information: WIKI: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pottok

It is a social horse, used to living in a herd. The herd is usually formed by 10 to 15 mares and their respective stallions. The relationship among them is very special: at the beginning of Spring and Summer they get stronger. Every herd lives in its own territory. The traditions are past on from generation to generation. The landscape, the micro climate and the knowledge of different plants and grass are transmitted from one individual unto another.

The stallion fertilizes all mares during Spring and Summer, from the beginning of march to the end of August. Taking distance from the herd always with a watchful eye on the mares so no other stallion approaches.

Friendship develops among the mares due to the time they spend together in the herd. Pottokas have a sophisticated communication system: some of them are vocal, friendly snorts, by whinnying due to fear, for being angry, etc. Nevertheless, the majority of signs are visual they move their tails, or ears to express hate, threat, curiosity, doubt, passions,...

In every herd there is a mare that has the roll of guide. Usually it is the oldest and most experienced mare. The rest follow her by coordinated movements.

In the last 10 years the situation has changed. Thanks to the effort of breeders, the number of individuals has grown, today there are more than 700 Pottokas registered in the stud book.

The natural habitat of the Pottokas has been the north of Navarre, the Pyrenees, north of Gipuzkoa, Bizkaia and Alava. These territories have a rolling, round mountains landscape that seldom go over the 1,500 meters high.

Since the weather is of the Atlantic type, it is frequent to find: high humidity, mild temperatures and many clouds. As the land gains meters the vegetation becomes more and more a grass land with some scatter woods. Since very remote days, the Pottoka has found food in the high grass land during the summer, and in the valleys during the winter months. But, the Pottoka habitat has been changing, with more Pine Trees instead of the local Oaks, and other species. Also the land has become more and more privately owned. Today, the Pottoka has been relegated to the mountain tops.

The Pottoka has had to adapt to the environment for centuries, for this reason her initial character has evolved. For this reason the Pottoka has a special constitution. The genetics determine the size, the looks, and the understanding they have, but the environment in which they develop may change some of those traits. The Pottoka may live the whole year round with the resources the environment can provide her. Many times, these resources are not enough so the Pottokas develop survival strategies. Therefore, they are able to go where other species may not.

When there is no grass, the Pottokas feed on tree barks, bushes and other kinds of plants, until Spring comes. It also feeds on weeds and small tree branches that may be found under the snow.

Basque Country

The Pottoka is well adapted to the Basque Country mountains and hardships of winter. When the first hail begins to fall their body is covered by a thick coat of hair. When food lacks, their metabolism slows down, but in the summer time it will spend a lot of energy. In Spring they recover much of their weight with newly grown grass.

They love freedom and open spaces. They only search for cover to keep from cold and rain in the winter time, or to protect themselves from the summer heat. Such cover in the hills rarely is a closed space.

The grass fields and roaming in liberty are essential for the Pottoka survival, a condition that is fundamental if the Pottokas are to survive and breed in their natural inhabitant.

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