PONIES 



A " compact " body expresses one's opinion as to neatness 

 and quality in the region of chest, back, loins, flanks, abdomen, 

 etc. Quahty, and carriage of head and neck, are the essentials 

 of beauty in a pony. Many ponies have a bad head and neck 

 carriage, least seen in the typical bred hackney. A good crest 

 adds very materially to the appearance of any horse. Shoulders, 

 arms, and forearms to show well developed muscles. 



Knees and hocks sharp in outline, " clean," and to be 

 free from disease. Cannons to consist of thin skin, bone and 

 hard tendons, the latter being felt like cords in outhne. 



This condition is termed " clean," and every horseman 

 knows full well its meaning. Judges are very particular about, 

 quality in this region, and rightly so. 



Inferior ponies have thick skin, and a lot of useless loose 

 tissue, or packing between bone and tendons, etc. There 

 should be no " splints " and no evidence of " speedy " cutting ! 

 Fetlocks, clean, and free from windgall, etc. Pasterns, broad, 

 but neither too long, nor yet too short. The pasterns should 

 be " fairly " well sloped, but not too oblique. If inclined to 

 be short and upright, this is sufficient to condemn a pony in 

 the eyes of a connoisseur. Feet, sound, hard and propor- 

 tionate, well placed in relation to the body at rest and during 

 action. 



Cobby, well shaped croup and thighs, are necessary to make 

 the general build of the body of beautiful contour. A sweet 

 temper ; freedom from vice, soundness, and beauty of action 

 in the shoulders, hocks and knees are essentials for the show 

 pony ; in fact, for any typical pony. Briefly considered 

 the following are the most important varieties of ponies : — 



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