The Poney du Logone is a breed of small horse or pony from the area of the Logone River in Chad and Cameroon, in west central Africa.[2] It is particularly associated with the Musey or Moussey people of that region, and may also be known as the Poney Musey or Poney Mousseye.[3]
| Conservation status | [not recognized |
|---|---|
| Other names | |
| Country of origin | |
| Traits | |
| Distinguishing features | Height: up to 125 cm[1] |
History
There are many descriptions of the small horses of the Marba-Musey people of the flood-plain of the middle reaches of the Logone River in south-western Chad and northern Cameroon; among them are those of Dixon Denham in 1826 and Gustav Nachtigal in 1880.[3]: 233 Horse-breeding in the area remained relatively unchanged until the 1980s; in 1985 the horse population there was estimated at 6000–6500 head.[3]: 233
In 2007 the Poney du Logone population in Chad was listed as "not at risk" by the FAO.[4]: 17 In Cameroon the breed is considered a relic of the past, and to be at risk of extinction.[5]: 49
Characteristics
The head of the Poney du Logone is not heavy, as is sometimes reported, but is well proportioned, with a slightly convex profile and wide nostrils. The principal coat colour is bay, followed by bay roan, chestnut and chestnut roan.[3]: 234
The Poney du Logone is one of two horse breeds reported to show tolerance of, or resistance to, tsetse-borne trypanosomosis, or "sleeping sickness". The other horse breed reported to be tolerant or resistant is the Bandiagara of Mali and Niger.[6]: 93
References
Further reading
- Igor de Garine (1975). Contribution à l'ethnozoologie du cheval chez les Moussey (Tchad et Cameroun); in: Raymond Pujol (editor) (1975). L'Homme et l'animal: [actes du] premier colloque d'ethnozoologie [Paris, 28-30 Novembre 1973] (in French). Paris: Institut international d'ethnosciences. ISBN 9782857620006. pages 505–20.
- Christian Seignobos (1987). Le poney du Logone et les derniers peuples cavaliers: essai d'approche historique (in French). Maisons-Alfort: Institut d'élevage et de médecine vétérinaire des pays tropicaux, Dép. du Centre de coopération internationale et recherche agronomique pour le développement. ISBN 9782859851422.