DIFFICULTY IN BREEDING 467 



Ponies are more and more wanted as hacks, apart from 

 the insatiable demand for high-class polo types. Built on 

 proper lines, a riding pony should trot, canter, or gallop, but 

 the high-trotting harness action is an objection, as it implies 

 discomfort to the rider and an unnecessary test of endurance 

 on the animal's fore feet. Welsh ponies in some districts 

 have been spoiled for the saddle by crossing with the 

 Hackney to gain size, but the pure-bred Welsh pony is 

 regarded, in relation to the objects of the Polo Pony Society, 

 as one of the safest and most appropriate foundation breeds 

 to incorporate. " The indomitable pluck, endurance, and 

 good temper of the Welsh pony, together with his substance 

 and dash, will be found an invaluable cross for the Thorough- 

 bred and Eastern bred ponies." 



A great difficulty in breeding polo ponies is to keep the 

 height within the limit, and small, pure pony blood as 

 female foundation stock becomes invaluable. With the 

 Welsh should be mentioned the Dartmoor, Exmoor, New 

 Forest, Church Stretton Hills, and West Highland ponies, 

 the characteristic features of which are discussed later. The 

 general run of these animals have been so left to Nature and 

 neglected that they would not pass the entry inspection, but 

 their hardiness of constitution and other qualities cannot be 

 ignored ; and by allowing only the best stallions selected at 

 the annual " round ups " to breed, the herds running wild 

 may be improved so as to produce many useful breeding 

 mares to be taken into the Stud Book. 



Vol. V. contains the following defence of the inclusion of 

 the word " Polo " in the name of the Society Polo being only 

 one of the many uses to which a riding pony under 14.2 

 hands can be put. " The pony suitable for polo must be 

 the highest type of a riding pony, with well-laid, powerful 

 riding shoulders and good forehand generally, while the 

 necessary power across the loins and muscular hind quarters, 

 with clean strong hocks, will not be forgotten. They have 

 to carry at top speed weights which are generally considered 

 ample for hunters of 15.2 and upwards, and are therefore a 

 first-class pony for riding purposes." 



The admission of the various indigenous mountain breeds 

 for registration in the Polo Pony Stud Book, each in its own 

 division, was announced in the same volume with the stated 



