The semi The semi –– wild horses wild horses

in Greecein Greece

JohnJohn Menegatos Menegatos DVM PhD DVM PhD

AssociAssoci.Professor.Professor

Agricultural University of AthensAgricultural University of Athens

The semi-wild horses in Greece belong to The semi-wild horses in Greece belong to Pindos Pindosbreed (1.25-1.35m height). There is a slightbreed (1.25-1.35m height). There is a slightdifference in the size of these horses. Horsesdifference in the size of these horses. Horseswhich live near rivers where there is plenty ofwhich live near rivers where there is plenty offood all around the year, are a little bit taller thanfood all around the year, are a little bit taller thanthe horses living on the mountains.the horses living on the mountains.

Most of these horses come from the abandoned Most of these horses come from the abandonedones during the civil war 1944-49 and someones during the civil war 1944-49 and someother from the immigration of people to foreignother from the immigration of people to foreigncountries. On the other hand tractors and newcountries. On the other hand tractors and newmethods in agriculture made their presence inmethods in agriculture made their presence inthe villagers useless. Town councils as well asthe villagers useless. Town councils as well asindividuals who adore horses take care of them.individuals who adore horses take care of them.

Locations of semi-wild horses in GreeceLocations of semi-wild horses in GreeceGreen arrowindicateslocation ofAinos pony

Purple arrowindicateslocation ofDelta ofAcheloosriverRed arrowindicateslocation ofAmphilochiaand Agrinio

Blue arrowindicateslocation ofDelta ofKalama regionnearIgoumenitsa

Yellow arrowindicateslocation ofAxios andAliakmonrivers nearThessaloniki

White arrowindicateslocation ofPagaiomountain(Drama)

Black arrowindicateslocation ofDelta ofEvros river

Mountain Mountain AinosAinos (1628m) in island of (1628m) in island ofCephalonia, about 25 horses (7 mares andCephalonia, about 25 horses (7 mares and18 stallions).18 stallions).

Delta of Delta of AcheloosAcheloos river, about 40 horses. river, about 40 horses.

Mountainous region between cities ofMountainous region between cities ofAmphilochiaAmphilochia and and AgrinioAgrinio, about 200, about 200horses.horses.

PagaioPagaio mountain near city of Drama, mountain near city of Drama,about 400 horses.about 400 horses.

Delta of Kalama river near Delta of Kalama river near IgoumenitsaIgoumenitsacity, about 30 horses.city, about 30 horses.

Delta Delta AxiosAxios and and AliakmonAliakmon rivers near rivers nearThessaloniki, about 30 horsesThessaloniki, about 30 horses

Delta Delta EvrosEvros river, about 30 horses. river, about 30 horses.

Looking at us in front of the top of mountainLooking at us in front of the top of mountain

AinosAinos (1628m height) on the island of (1628m height) on the island of

Cephalonia. The mountain is covered by theCephalonia. The mountain is covered by the

unique black pine tree (unique black pine tree (ApiesApies cephallonica cephallonica))

Trotting on the banks of Trotting on the banks of AcheloosAcheloos

river.river.

Semi-wild horses of Semi-wild horses of AcheloosAcheloos river river

Greek indigenous shorthorn cattle liveGreek indigenous shorthorn cattle live

together with horses in the Delta oftogether with horses in the Delta of

AcheloosAcheloos river. river.

Galloping in Galloping in PagaioPagaio mountain mountain

Thank you for your attention!Thank you for your attention!