WELSH AND NEW FQREST PONIES 469 



introduced into the Connemara breed, and into that of the 

 West Coast of Scotland, by " shipwrecked remnants of the 

 cavalry" from the Spanish Armada, are vague traditions. 

 If the tales were true, there is a strong presumption that 

 the imported horse of these early days would be a hardier 

 animal than his modern prototype. 



The following characteristics of the various mountain 

 and moorland ponies are mainly extracted from the authori- 

 tative statements in Vol. V., and should be read along with 

 the general descriptions already given at page 466 : 



North Wales Breed. "The height should not exceed 

 12.2 hands. Bay or brown is preferred ; grey or black 

 allowed ; but dun, chestnut, or broken colour is objectionable. 

 The action should be that of a hunter ; low [action], ' daisy- 

 cutting' to be avoided. A pony should move quickly and 

 actively, stepping out well from the shoulder, at the same 

 time flexing the hocks, and bringing the hind legs well under 

 the body when going. It should show good 'pony' character, 

 and evidence of robust constitution, with unmistakable evidence 

 of the hardiness peculiar to mountain ponies, and at the 

 same time have a lively appearance. The shoulder should 

 be well laid back and sloping, but not too fine at the withers, 

 nor loaded at the points." 



South Wales Breed. "The South Wales hill pony seldom 

 exceeds 13 hands, and in a pure state is about 12 hands. 

 His attributes are a quick, straight action and sure-footedness ; 

 he is low in the withers, short in his forehand, and with 

 faulty hind quarters, as far as appearance goes, his tail being 

 set-on low and his hocks sickled ; but his fore legs and feet 

 are good. His head and eye show breed, courage, and sense, 

 and his constitution is strong, or he could not live where he 

 does. Of late years he has been crossed with the Cardigan- 

 shire cob to some extent ; and half-bred two-year-old Shire 

 colts have been allowed access to the hills in the summer in 

 some places, much to the detriment of the breed. In colour, 

 bays and browns prevail." 



New Forest Breed. " For the New Forest pony it is 

 difficult to give any exact description, but the best class of 



