160 THE BREEDS OF LIVE-STOCK 



to great age are cited by Sir Walter Gilbey : " Mr. Ed- 

 mund F. Deane, of Gaulstown Co., Westmeath, lost a 

 pony in December, 1894, which had reached the age of 

 39 years ; in 1896, Mrs. Pratt, of Low Pond House, Be- 

 dale, Yorks, lost a pony mare aged 45 years ; on Christ- 

 mas Day, 1863, there died at Silworthy, near Clovelly 

 in North Devon, a pony that had arrived within a few 

 weeks of his sixtieth year. Accounts of ponies which 

 lived, and in some cases worked, until they reached 40, 

 38, 37 and 35 years also recur to mind." 



Ponies in America are used chiefly for children's pur- 

 poses and for playing polo. In Europe, in England 

 particularly, they serve a much greater variety of pur- 

 poses. Some are worked in coal mines, but a great 

 many more are put to use above ground. Green 

 grocers, fish mongers, market men, small merchants, all 

 employ them for delivery purposes. Country gentlemen, 

 doctors, land agents, in fact all persons having occasion 

 to travel, depend upon ponies a great deal. There is good 

 reason for stating that ponies could be used to far greater 

 advantage in America than they are at present. For 

 light work they could be utilized in many places instead of 

 large horses at a considerable saving. Ponies in America, 

 the western ponies in particular, have long been availed 

 of for saddle purposes, but ponies as a first mount for 

 children are just beginning to be appreciated. 



189. The polo pony. The increasing popularity of 

 polo is attracting much attention to mounts suitable for 

 playing the game. Polo originally was an oriental game, 

 being the national game of the Manipuri, from whom the 

 Europeans first learned it. It was introduced into India 

 proper in 1864, and was played in England by 

 the officers of the 10th Hussars in the year 1872, on 



