172 



THE BREEDS OF LIVE-STOCK 



1 



The Polo Pony Society makes two divisions of Welsh 

 ponies, those of North Wales and those of South Wales. 

 By the description given in Vol. 5 of the stud-book of this 

 society, the ponies of North Wales do not exceed twelve 

 hands two inches. This refers undoubtedly to the Welsh 

 pony in a pure state, as the writer has seen many Welsh 

 cobs bred in Wales from Welsh mares and Hackney 

 stallions that were fourteen hands and over in height. 



The pony of North 

 Wales has straight 

 legs, well-set-on tail 

 and good shoulders. 



The pony of the 

 South Wales division 

 seldom exceeds thir- 

 teen hands, and in a 

 pure state is about 

 twelve hands. The 

 writer has seen many 

 of them not over 

 eleven hands. They 

 are likely to be low at 

 the withers, and have 



faulty hind-quarters, the rump being steep and the hocks 

 sickled, although these defects are being overcome by 

 improved keep of the young ponies and better breeding. 

 The color of the Welsh pony most preferred is bay or 

 brown. Gray or black is allowable, but dun or broken 

 color is considered objectionable. 



The strength and endurance of these Welsh ponies is 

 remarkable. They have legs that work cannot seem to 

 destroy, and have wonderful carrying power. It is not 

 uncommon in Wales to see a man weighing upward of 



FIG. 25. Welsh stallion 



