Pottok

Pottok

Pottoka horse in the Pagoeta Nature Reserve.
Other names	Pottoka, Pottock
Country of origin	Basque Country
Traits
Distinguishing features	small, large head, heavy winter coat
Breed standards
Les Haras Nationaux (France) Ingurumen, Lurralde Plangintza, Nekazaritza Eta Arrantza Saila; Departamento de Medio Ambiente, Planificación Territorial, Agricultura y Pesca Schweizerischer Verband für Ponys und Kleinpferde; Fédération Suisse des Poneys et Petits Chevaux
Equus ferus caballus

The Pottok or Pottoka (/ˈpɒtək, -kə/ or /pəˈtjɒk, -kə/, Basque: pottoka [poˈcoka]), is an endangered, semi-feral breed of pony native to the Pyrenees of the Basque Country in France and Spain.

It is considered an ancient breed of horse, particularly well adapted to the harsh mountain areas it traditionally inhabits.

Once common, it is endangered through habitat loss, mechanization and crossbreeding but efforts are increasingly made to safeguard the future of this breed. It is considered iconic by the Basque people.

Pottoka is the Basque language name for this horse, both north and south of the mountains. In Upper Navarrese, potto and pottoka are generic terms for colts and young horses whereas in Lapurdian and Lower Navarrese the meaning of pottoka is "pony". Ultimately the name is linked to words such as pottolo "chubby, tubby".