NWBHC Equinealities, Basuto

Basuto

Basotho

Group	Pony of Mesomorphic Type
Influences	Arabian Barb English Thoroughbred Persian
Characteristics	Stands about 14.2 hands high (58" or 147 cm). It has a quality head, longish neck and back. It has a strong straightish shoulder. The Basuto has short legs and hard hooves. It is sure-footed and tough with great stamina.
Colors	chestnut bay brown grey
Odd Facts	The Basuto is used for racing, polo and riding. It has a fearless temperament and is self-reliant.

Overview:

The Basuto Pony is derived principally from the Arab and Barb horses which were imported to the Cape Province of South Africa from Java in 1653 and, by various crossing with Thoroughbreds, formed the Cape Horse. Following raids in the early nineteenth century the Cape Horse found its way into Basutoland where a combination of crossing with local scrub stock and the unfavorable climatic conditions, caused it to degenerate into what is now known as the Basuto pony. This exceptionally tough, hardy and enduring pony is not then an indigenous one, but being well up to weight was used extensively during the Boer War. It is 14.2 hands high and proves its versatility by being used for polo and racing as well as for riding and as a pack pony. The usual colors are bay, brown, grey or chestnut and it is thickset, frequently with a quality head, long neck and back, and upright shoulder. It has very hard feet and is extremely sure-footed. (Enc. Horse 1983)

Physical Description:

The Basuto, or Basotho, is a pony of the mesomorphic type. It stands 14 to 14.1 hands high (1.43-1.45m) at the withers. It has a coat that is generally chestnut, bay, brown or grey in color. The head is of medium size, but with a rather heavy jaw, a straight profile, and smallish but expressive eyes. It has a long neck that is not very muscular, and its withers are quite prominent. It has a deep chest and a fairly straight shoulder. The long, straight back has a sloping croup sloping. Its tail is set-on low. The slender, strong legs have clean joints, and hard hooves.

Origin:

In the enclave of South Africa, in present-day Lesotho, the Basuto Pony was developed from the Cape Horse after 1825. It was bred primarily for riding and draft, and by the early 20th century this breed had nearly disappeared. Exportation and cross-breeding with Thoroughbred and Arabian horses, depleted much of the local stock. A breed society was formed in the latter part of the 20th century in order to revive the Basuto. This pony was also used to develop the Nooitgedacht Pony.

Other Facts:

The Basuto Pony was used during the Boer War to increase mobility of British troops, which gave them an advantage over the Boers.

Basuto or Basotho Pony

This pony of about 14 to 14.2 hands (averaging about 1.43-1.45m) high originates from Basutoland or Lesotho in South Africa. Of national importance, it may be chestnut, brown, bay or grey. It has an aptitude as a riding pony, with a hardy quality, and reliable, hard-working, and tolerant temperament. The Basuto is among the strongest ponies and has great endurance. Its name is derived from the area where it was developed in South Africa, and is not indigenous to the region.

During the 19th century, Cape Horses were turned loose to fend for themselves following raids that brought them into Basutoland. Cape Horses were developed in the southern province of South Africa from stock imported from Java and Persia. Ponies came from Java during the 17th century and were upgraded by imported Arabs from Persia and other regions. The Dutch East India Company imported Barb and Arabian horses in 1653. Following development of trade with India in 1770, these tough little horses became remounts for the British Army. Due to the large number of imported ponies, additional improvements were encouraged and 40 Thoroughbred stallions were introduced into the breeding program.

Zulu invasions around 1822 allowed greater access of local tribes to raid and gain access to the Cape Horses. Moshesh, the Sotha or Basuto Chief, raided the Cape in 1828, capturing and returning home with some of its Cape Horses. BY 1830, these horses became known as Basutos. A few generations of inbreeding, bad grazing, unfavorable climate, and overexertion produced smaller, tougher horses. While such human neglect and harsh environmental conditions resulted in degeneration of the type, the ponies became hardy and courageous. The offspring of these horses became known as Basuto Ponies. The ponies became noted for their exceptional strength and courage.

The Boer Wars brought fame to this pony, when as many as 32,000 Basutos were bought by the British to increase their mobility against the Boers. The Boers already had their own pony, the Boerperd, which had given them an advantage until this point in during the war.

The elegance of its Arab and Thoroughbred forebears is usually apparent in the Basuto Pony's head. The head is of medium size with a straight profile, but the jaw is rather heavy. The eyese are smallish but expressive. Its long, thin neck is often ewe-shaped, and its fairly straight shoulder can be rather upright. The withers are quite prominent, and the chest is deep. It has a long straight back, short legs and very hard feet. The croup is sloping, and the tail is set-on low. The slender legs are strong with clean joints. The pony's hoof is hard.

While the Basuto Ponies have been used for military purposes, they have also been used for polo and flat racing. These extremely tough little ponies have great powers of endurance, earning them popularity as mounts for trekking. They have the ability to carry a rider, weighing over 220 lb (100 kg) in the saddle, for an average of 65 miles (100 km) a day. These ponies are frequently used throughout South Africa as general-purpose riding ponies. Use of the Basuto, or Basotho, Pony has been reserved for riding, the draft work being done by cattle. The Basuto Pony has the standard gaits of walk, trot, and canter, and also the tripple and pace.

Due to the exportation, as well as crossbreeding with Thoroughbred and Arabian horses, the Basuto Pony decreased in numbers and almost disappeared. Crossbreeding resulted in the development of the nooitgedacht Pony. During the latter part of the 20th century, a breed society was formed to encourage revival of the Basuto or Basotho Pony.

Primary sources:

Etusis Basotho Stud, Farm Etusis No. 75, PO Box No. 5, Karibib 9000 Namibia, phone: 062252/1603 - Fax 061/223994
Mason, I.L. 1996. A World Dictionary of Livestock Breeds, Types and Varieties. Fourth Edition. C.A.B International. 273 pp.
Oklahoma State University website (links below)

For more information visit:

Published August 2000 in the North West Breyer Horse Club newsletter. (em)

© 1997-2018 NW Breyer Horse Club
& Refiner of Gold Creations
Equinealities in place since 1997,
Section in place 2001,
Updated 2/19/2018