The Landais pony is a very ancient breed that probably descends from the Tarpan horse of the steppes but has more recently been influenced by infusion of Arabian and English blood (successive invasions).
Two populations survived in the Landes area and evolved differently, in spite of some interbreeding between the two at the beginning of the 20th century.
These are the pony of the pines or the Lédon pony in the coastal areas, which has now disappeared, and the Barthais pony of the meadows along the Adour river, which is the strain from which modern Landais ponies descend.
Landais Pony Area of Breeding
Most of the Landais pony population is located in the Pau area. This pony's breeding ground is the Landes département. Landais ponies are also found in the Paris area, Brittany, Aquitaine, the Centre, and Midi-Pyrenees regions.
Landais Pony Uses
The Landais pony is the ideal sports partner for children. It excels in Olympic disciplines: dressage, show jumping and eventing. It is also much sought after for its qualities in harness, including on the race track as it is a remarkable trotter. This is a true all-rounder which furthermore makes a fine family and pleasure pony, well-suited to trail riding and competitive mounted orienteering and easily adaptable to every lifestyle.
Landais Pony Conformation
The Landais pony is handsome pony, with wide-set eyes, a fine-featured and sharply defined head, a nicely-arched neck, sloping shoulder, broad chest. It stands between 1.18 m and 1.48 m high. It has a strong back, level croup and dry limbs. The mane and tail are thick. Accepted coat colors are: bay, black, chestnut and chocolate. Head and leg markings are accepted.
Landais Pony Champions
Démon Landais - French Champion at the age of 4, 5 an 6 years. Finalist three years running at Fontainebleau. Kaïd du Patis - French Champion 2006 D3 level show jumping Or de Labat - French Champion B 2005 ridden 3-year olds, Jongleur - Privately owned stallion, a legendary trotter whose record over 100 km has yet to be beaten Vent des Landes - Selected to be in the French team at the European Eventing Championship Rêve Landais - French Eventing Champion 2001 Colonel Landais - Finalist at the French C Dressage Championship Hardi Landais - Four times French Champion B show jumping from 1983 to 1993 Babette Landaise - Reserve French Champion show jumping 2000
*** Landais breed information courtesy of Association Nationale du Poney Landais.
