PONIES 



direction, but to give a sketch of the experiments I have made 

 in my stud, and to indicate the principles which have guided me. 

 I beheve that my methods have never before been tried, and 

 although the scheme is only in its initial stage — through causes 

 to be presently explained — there are points of great importance 

 to be noted, some of which will, I think, be of general interest. 

 To present some idea of the difficulties, it must first be observed 

 that practically all the leading playing ponies — such as have made 

 a great reputation in England — are of uncertain breeding, 

 accidental products which cannot be reproduced on the same 

 lines. The horses of this class are never kept entire in this 

 country. The mares cannot be expected, with any degree of 

 certainty, to reproduce their like. Moreover, what stallions 

 are we to put these mares to ? The Arab is practically the only 

 stallion who ever comes on to the polo ground. Even if such 

 stalhons existed — typical in form and of acknowledged perform- 

 ances — the uncertainty as to their produce would still exist. 

 No doubt the true type would in time be evolved by the slow 

 process of selection. But only future generations would benefit 

 by the losses of the present experimenters. It is, therefore, a 

 matter of great moment to choose breeds of a fixed type, and 

 we are thus practically reduced in our selection to the Arab, 

 the thoroughbred, and the native breeds of ponies. 



The English thoroughbred — on account of his quality and 

 speed — is held by most breeders to be an essential element in 

 the polo pony, and at the present moment a great variety of 

 experiments are being tried, with the idea of producing a small 

 thoroughbred with pony character. It must here be explained 

 that this most essential " pony character " cannot be defined 

 inwards, and has been the subject of much discussion. Its 

 meaning is best conveyed indirectly. It is not a matter of 



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