158 VARIETIES OF THE HORSE 



becomes necessary to enlighten our readers as to what a pony really is. 

 The differences of opinion which have existed in different parts of the 

 country as to the necessary stature that qualifies its possessor to be 

 accepted as a pony have already been referred to, and it may be added that 

 the 14-h.-2-in. standard which now marks the line of distinction between 

 the pony and the horse at most of the principal shows, is possibly not sub- 

 scribed to by every breeder. But assuming that it is, and that there is 

 a hard-and-fast rule making every animal under 15 hands a cob if he 

 stands 14-h.-2-in. or over, and every one a pony if he does not reach the 

 latter standard of height, difficulties almost innumera])le still confront the 

 writer who attempts to describe the points and conformation of a pony. 

 This is mainly due to the existence of so many varieties of the breed, in 

 behalf of all of which some special features of type are claimed by their 

 respective admirers. Unfortunately, however, a writer is opposed by a still 

 more serious obstacle that must be encountered, namely, the divergence of 

 opinions that exists amongst the chief admirers and supporters of these 

 different breeds. Doubtless this is in no small degree attributable to the 

 fact that all sorts of undesirable and irregular crosses of blood have been 

 introduced into each variety; partly as a result of mistaken theories that 

 have been applied, and partly to the indifference of many persons whose 

 first duty it should have been to have kept the particular variety of pony 

 with which they were connected pure and free from any undesirable taint. 



As suggested above, there is little doubt that the person who pi'o- 

 poses to breed ponies, and to found a new stud upon raw material which he 

 has succeeded in collecting hap-hazard from all the four points of the 

 compass, will act wisely if at the commencement of his operations he 

 trusts to the good offices of a Thoroughbred pony sire. There are plenty 

 of these little horses to be picked up every year whose l)reeding is as good 

 as that of any animal in the Stud-book; but valuable though they are as 

 corner-stones in the establishment of a strain, it must always be borne in 

 mind that there is a strong probability of their begetting stock that is 

 taller than themselves, whilst they are not likely to introduce high action 

 into their stock. Of course, the possibility of the former being the case is 

 somewhat discounted by the fact that the foals they get will be out of 

 small mares; but then, as in all likelihood the mares in question have been 

 picked up here and there with little or no information as to pedigree, 

 there may be the taint of size on their side, and if this is so, the appear- 

 ance of big foals at the commencement of the operations might reasonably 

 be expected. Still, as it is not within the power of everyone who proposes 

 founding a stud, to buy his mares from well-established herds, the beginner 

 is compelled to do the best he can for himself; and provided he possesses 



