It was formally recognised as breed in 2014, after a period of research and recovery lasting some fifteen years.
[5] A breed association, the Associação dos Criadores e Amigos do Pónei da Terceira, was constituted in 2010.
[6] The programme of recovery and conservation of the remaining population of the horses was overseen by the University of the Azores, which is also the principal breeder[7] – in 2014 it had a breeding herd of over fifty head.
[5] The university also manages the conservation programme for the endangered Burro da Ilha Graciosa breed of small donkey.
[8]: 36 In 2024 the registered population consisted of 36 stallions and 68 breeding mares, in the hands of 20 breeders.