The Sandalwood Pony of Sumba | Horse Riding Holidays
Native to the rugged island of Sumba, the Sandalwood pony is a small yet incredibly strong horse, deeply woven into local culture and daily life. Bred to thrive in Sumba’s dry climate and varied terrain, these sure-footed ponies are known for their endurance, calm temperament, and ability to carry riders comfortably across beaches, savannahs, and remote villages. For travellers seeking immersive horse riding holidays and unforgettable horseback riding vacations, riding a Sandalwood pony offers a rare and authentic connection to place. At Globetrotting, we connect riders with extraordinary horse back riding experiences worldwide, including the iconic NIHI horse riding holiday in Sumba, where guests explore the island on horseback as part of The Sumba Ride. In this spotlight, we take a closer look at the Sandalwood pony — the native horse of Sumba — and why it is at the heart of one of Indonesia’s most remarkable riding experiences.
Name of breed: Sandalwood Pony
Country of origin: Indonesia
Breed origin: The Sandalwood pony developed on the Indonesian islands of Sumba and Sumbawa. It is named after the Sandalwood tree, which was once of the island’s major exports. Not much is known about the history of the Sandalwood breed, but it is believed that Arabians and Barbs had a strong influence on their bloodlines, making them one of the fastest and finest of the eight horse breeds native to Indonesia. The Sandalwood pony has been exported to many other Southeast Asian nations to be used for racing. It has also played a role in shaping some of Australia’s pony breeds.
Distinguishing features: Sandalwood ponies are fast, hardy and robust, with great stamina. They have a handsome head with small ears, a short and muscular neck leading to a deep chest, a long back, and a sloping shoulder and croup. Their legs are thin but strong, and their hooves are tough and well-shaped. Sandalwood ponies usually stand 12 to 13 hands high and can be any colour.
Modern day Sandalwood Pony: The Sandalwood pony is used for light draft, pack, farm and riding work on their native islands, as well as for racing. They race both on the flat and in harness, including in the bareback races held on the islands, which are often over three miles long. Oh and let’s not forget their very important role in the Pasola Festival in which teams of bareback warriors demonstrate their prowess by throwing spears at their opponents.
You can take one of these horses for a spin on our Sumba Ride in Indonesia!
References: Horse Breeds Pictures, Wikipedia, Indonesia Travel.
Image credits: Globetrotting
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