The Skyros: The Forgotten Horse Breed You Need to Meet

#2 – HISTORY OF THE SKYROS BREED

The Skyros pony “Eguus Cabalus” is one of the indigenous horses that lived throughout Greece in antiquity. According to legend, they are considered a descendant of Achilles horses and related to the horses of Alexander the Great as well as to those presented in the Pan-Athenian procession depicted on the Parthenon Frieze.

It is believed that they were brought to the island of Skyros by Athenian immigrants in the 5th century BC. For many years, this pony breed could keep their original appearance, as they’ve never been in contact with other horse breeds. Skyros lives in the southern part of the island in a mountainous area called Vouno. Their natural docility then allowed the island’s farmers to domesticate some of these ponies for agricultural work.