as they were no longer needed for farm work and their numbers were already low. The prevalence of feral donkeys in the same area of Skyros is also a threat, as the two groups cross-breed and prevent pure breeding by the Skyros horses. During the 1970s, there was a short-lived breeding program focused on the Skyros breed. This program brought publicity to the breed and resulted in them being declared critically endangered in 1991. Uses The horses are often kept semi-wild, ranging the mountainous interior of the island until they are needed at the harvest for threshing grain. Skyroi are also used as pack horses, harness horses, and for riding. References External links Katsarelias Simpson Project Blog www.skyrosisalndhorsetrust.com Silva Project homepage Hippolytus homepage Hippolytus blog Area of Controlled Reproduction for the Preservation of Skyros Horse The Skyrian Horse Society Horse breeds Skyros Horse breeds originating in Greece