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22.02.2024
Endemic species in Greek nature: Skyrian horses

Endemic species in Greek nature: Skyrian horses

The Skyrian horse: Sociable, intelligent, friendly

The Skyrian horse is an ancient Greek breed that has survived only in Skyros! Nowadays, it has around 190 members on the island and 300 worldwide. It is a small-sized breed unique worldwide, scientifically known as Equus caballus Skyriano.

Skyrian horses are related to the miniature horses of Pindos Mountain in Greece and are historically tied to the horses used by Achilles during his expedition to Troy and to the horses of Alexander the Great. Moreover, Skyrian horses are said to be depicted on the Parthenon frieze.

The miniature horses of Skyros are related to small-sized horse breeds that migrated to Europe from Alaska, crossing the mountainous regions of Asia 12,000 years ago!

The breed that developed into the modern-day Skyrian horse is rumoured to descend from horses brought to Skyros by Athenian settlers during the 5th century BCE.

Although Skyrian horses are often referred to as “ponies” or “hipparions” (meaning little horses in Greek), they are not closely related. Hipparions were small-sized, three-toed horses that went extinct around 1,000,000 years ago and are a different breed.

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