So6 POLO 



CHAPTER VI 



BREEDS OF PONIES SUITABLE FOR POLO 



1 THINK I am within the limits when I say that no one has yet 

 determined what breed of pony is most suitable for the game. 

 Each race has its distinctive merits, and every man who plays 

 has his own rdeas on the subject. On certain qualifications, 

 however, all are united, and it is generally admitted that for a 

 pony to be really first-class it must have speed, intelligence, 

 staying powers, a sound constitution, suppleness or the power 

 of turning quickly, and last, but not least, good temper. 



The pure British breeds of ponies, such as Exmoors and 

 Shetlands, we may dismiss at once, as their small size renders 

 them quite unfitted for the game, but other ponies may be di- 

 vided thus : Undersized thoroughbreds, Barbs, Arabs, Syrian or 

 Egyptian ponies, Indian country-breds, American, New -Forest, 

 and improved Exmoors. Let us glance for a moment at the 

 respective merits and demerits of these various breeds, bearing 

 in mind the while the combined qualities that are requisite, and 

 hat the points that make a good hunter apply equally to a 

 polo pony. * Blood will tell ' is a common and very true saying, 

 and it is apparent that an animal bred expressly for racing must 

 be endowed with the greatest speed. The pluck of a thorough- 

 bred also enables him to go on till he drops. ' But here, I 

 think, the advantages of thoroughbred horses cease. They 

 have not always the very best of tempers, many of them cannot 

 carry great weights, and in this it must be understood that my 

 remarks apply to thoroughbred ponies^ animals which from their 



