16G VARIETIES OF THE HORSE 



As regards his general appearance, the Exmoor perhaps shows more 

 quality than the Dartmoor, his head being extremely clean and neat, his 

 eyes full of spirit, whilst his limbs and middle piece are excellent, and 

 they are not so frequently found cow-hocked as the Dartmoors are. They 

 are a most valuable cross for the purpose of producing the miniature 

 Hunter style of pony, and anyone who purposes embarking in the 

 pleasurable pursuit of pony -breeding should congratulate himself if he 

 succeeds in getting possession of a few mares of the old blood, for they 

 are sure to serve him well; but, as has been stated above, the majority 

 of so-called Exmoors are simply mongrels. 



The New Forest. — As probably everyone who reads these lines is 

 aware, the New Forest owes its existence as a royal forest to William 

 the Conqueror; and it is pretty certain that since the days of that monarch 

 it has been to a greater or less extent the home of horses of some shape 

 or other. The extent of the crown property here is about 70,000 acres, 

 and admirers of the ponies that exist in the forest are in the habit of 

 claiming for them that they are indigenous to the locality; but whether 

 this is the case or not, it can scarcely be claimed for the present repre- 

 sentatives of the ancient race that they appear to have repaid the care 

 that has been bestowed upon them. So far back as the middle of the 

 eighteenth century the famous Marske, the sire of Eclipse, was covering 

 mares in the neighbourhood of the forest at a half-guinea fee, whilst in 

 more recent days the services of Arab stallions have been available through 

 the good offices of the late Prince Consort, and no doubt the large number 

 of grays that are met with in the district strain back to the latter horses. 

 Still, in spite of the advantages it has received, the New Forest pony 

 of the present day is in appearance beneath the level of the Dartmoor or 

 the Exmoor, as it fails to equal these varieties both in head and shoulders, 

 added to which it is often badly goose- rumped; but it possesses plenty 

 of courage and dash, and makes an excellent trapper, so there is reason 

 to believe that the exertions which are being made to improve the breed 

 will be crowned by excellent results. At present there is an association 

 in existence for the purpose of improving the variety; but though the 

 writer made enquiries and asked for information concerning it, no reply 

 was received, and consequently it is but reasonable to infer that no 

 tangible results have hitherto been attained by the promoters thereof. 



The Welsh. — The true Welsh pony, and especially if he is a creditable 

 representative of his race, is one of the best and most serviceable animals 

 tint could be desired. The worst thing that can be said about him is that 

 the Welsh pony has been so carelessly bred that a variety of types exist to 

 confuse the public mind. As a rule, the Welsh pony runs rather taller 



