Konik ponies

Konik ponies are one of the largest of the ‘pony’ breeds, often the size of a horse. 'Konik' literally means small horse. They are domestic ponies, bred over 100 years to live in the wild for conservation purposes. 

They range from sandy gold to grey in colour, with a distinctive black stripe along their spine that continues up into their mane. Their legs often have zebra striping too. Both of these are characteristics from the primitive wild horse they are thought to be descended from.

At first glance against the green of the Kentish grasslands, these ponies may not look that well camouflaged but, during the autumn and winter months, they can be almost indistinguishable from tussocks of tall, dry grasses and reeds.

This breed is friendly and laid back. Their greatest fear of harm is from people. Confident in wetlands and with broad hooves, they are most at home in lowland grassland landscapes. Although less prone to weight-related issues than Exmoors, they are still at risk from this, particularly where members of the public take it upon themselves to feed them.