Do you own a Timor Pony?
Please contact us if you own a Timor Pony in NZ. We are currently collecting DNA in the form of hair samples with the roots attached to assist with determining the genetic value, ancestry, heritage and importance of this breed which is being quickly realised to be one of the most important endangered ponies in the world.
Even if you have a gelding or a pony you don't want to breed, or is old, please contact us to supply DNA. Every pony we can find should be tested to help tell the story of the breed. Your pony may be able to tell us important information about other related ponies, help us to determine the best matches for breeding out of the available ponies, and help us complete the family tree of NZ's Timors.
As the Timor only resides in Australia, NZ and Timor-Leste it is up to us to do everything we can to save this amazing breed.
Click the image to the right to read more about this privately funded DNA project based in Australia.
Timor Pony Video Library
If you know of a great video to add to this library or replace existing out of date informative videos please contact us.
Timor Pony in NZ
NZ POPULATION - CRITICAL
Surprisingly low numbers remain in NZ, approximately 100 are left. The gene pool is thinning.
Under 100
WHERE TO BUY?
From time to time one comes up for sale on TradeMe or Facebook sales pages. Prices vary depending on how much they can do.
$1000-$5000
STUDS
2
AOHANGA TIMOR STUD - Ngaruawahia, Waikato, NZ
TIMOR PONY IS BORN
There is limited information about the exact origins of the Timor Pony - something Barb Bleicher is hard at work to change, and fast! Barb is currently funding a DNA project in partnership with Brandon Velie of Sydney University with a range of questions aiming to be uncovered with extensive testing of ponies from Timor-Leste, Australia and New Zealand.
If you have a Timor Pony please contact us to provide us with DNA to send for this project.
1200s - 1300s
Current day support
New Zealand has sent samples of over 30 ponies to Sydney University for testing. Results will be available mid 2025.
Global History
USES FOR TIMOR PONY
This is a strong breed capable of carrying immense loads. While in NZ we won't be loading them up with quite the amount of baggage as they would in Timor, they can certainly hold their own carrying adults.
As ponies for kids, they make a great second ridden for bold riders wanting a willing partner with speed, strength, stamina and motivation.
They are suited to dressage as they are talented with listening to seat and subtle aids. Want to ride with invisible aids like the Olympic Dressage riders? Try a Timor Pony.
Their jumps are fantastic. They will do well with Cross Country. They would also make fantastic endurance ponies.
Their unflappable natures make them a bold companion on a trail.
Under 2000
Today's global population
HELP THE TIMOR PONY
Timor Ponies are in a dire state. Of all the breeds listed it is arguably the most important one for New Zealand to take action with. Considering this breed is ONLY found in NZ, Australia and Timor-Leste, it is absolutely up to this corner of the world to save a breed that has very ancient DNA.
If you can donate to help this cause please reach out so we can put you in touch with the right people.
If you have a mare or want to work on breeding them back to accurate type within New Zealand we would like to hear from you.
Timor Mare learning to jump.
The breed played a key part in the development of a handful of Australian breeds such as the Australian Pony, Australian Stock Horse, Waler horses
Australian history
This website is a work in progress. Please reach out to correct and update information. We would like to feature great educational videos, photos of real horses proving their versatility and strengths, accurate preservation status numbers, news on the breeds from NZ and overseas, up to date contacts, links to websites, registries and associated entities for the breeds and more. In some instances placeholder or international images have been used where some nice local horses could be, we use what we can find at the time (hopefully without getting in trouble). We appreciate images supplied if you have any New Zealand based images.
