THE PONY BREEDS OF HORSES 



161 



their return from service in India. It is now played in 

 France and other parts of Europe, and is becoming very 

 popular in America. The best type of mounts for playing 

 the game is scarce and very costly. 



The mount that is in such demand and brings such a 

 high price, is really not a pony but a small horse. He 

 does not necessarily belong to any distinct breed, and is 

 generally the result of 

 a cross. The regula- 

 tion height has been 

 raised to fifteen hands. 

 He must be a powerful, 

 speedy, sound, handy 

 animal, with great stay- 

 ing power and courage, 

 high in front, with 

 sweeping shoulders and 

 good strong hocks. The 

 necessary speed and 

 courage are rarely found except in those ponies that have 

 a preponderance of race-horse blood in their veins. He 

 must be able to carry 160 to 200 pounds' weight, make 

 incessant turns, twists and stops at full speed, and make 

 short spurts of hard galloping, all of which take more 

 out of a pony than would a race out of a race horse 

 (Fig. 23). 



The Thoroughbred race horse has the speed and cour- 

 age, but rarely the strong hind-quarters and the power 

 necessary to enable him to stop quickly and turn sharply 

 at the gallop. The Arab, while having great staying 

 power, is rarely sufficiently speedy; and the Mustang 

 has not the speed or the courage to make a good polo 

 mount, even if he had the other qualifications. The best 



FIG. 23. Polo pony. 



