TYPES AND MARKET CLASSES OF LIVE STOCK 437 



over height, and only a small percentage of foals that are of 

 proper size have the conformation and disposition to become 

 polo ponies. Evidently the breeding of this pony is not a propo- 

 sition for the general farmer, but only for the specialist who 

 makes a special study of the requirements of players and of 

 methods of production. In Texas and other western states are 

 a few ranches which make a business of breeding these ponies 

 and training them, being equipped with polo fields for this 

 purpose. Beginning with western cow ponies, they have graded 

 up their pony stock by the use of dwarf Thoroughbred sires 

 until the present stocks are practically of straight Thorough- 

 bred breeding. England has taken up the production of polo 

 ponies in a more systematic manner than have we in this coun- 

 try. In 1893 they formed the Polo Pony Stud Book Society, 

 thus laying the foundation for pedigrees and for the establish- 

 ment of a breed. The name of the society was later changed 

 to the Polo and Riding Pony Society. Beginning in 1895, 

 annual shows have been held by this organization, and enough 

 progress has been made in breeding to indicate that in time a 

 true breed of ponies for polo will be established. When this 

 is accomplished, the production of polo ponies will not be so 

 difficult or uncertain as it is today. 



