Polo Ponies 'Ji 



the time that the change of poh'cy took place and the time when 

 I paid my last visit to the New Forest some ten or a dozen years 

 later. 



The introduction of "foreign" blood has undoubtedly improved 

 the style and character of the New Forest pony; but it has not 

 been all for good. Some of those who know the Forest well 

 contend that there are not so many mares able to stand the 

 winter as there were; they say the ponies cannot live on gorse, 

 as was their wont in the good old days; and that their instinct 

 of availing themselves of every little bit of shelter, and of seeking 

 new feeding grounds as the weather changes, is not so keen as that 

 of their ancestors. Lord Arthur Cecil, too, points to a fault which 

 the modern New Forest pony has. He gets away from the Forest 

 when he can, and loves to get into the cultivated enclosures and 

 lanes. Lord Cecil suggests concerted action on the part of the com- 

 moners and others interested to check this tendency, and thinks 

 that if this is done it is highly probable that the modern pony 

 would regain many of the habits and characteristics of his un- 

 doubtedly hardier sire. 



The modern New Forest pony stands from 12 to 13 hands. 

 He is good on his forehand, but his general appearance is too 

 frequently spoiled by a low -set -on tail and cow hocks, which, 

 as with the Dartmoor, disappear, it is said, in a generation or 

 two on good pasture — and, by the way, the effect of taking 

 young New Forest ponies on to good grass is marvellous in 

 effecting an increase of size. He is short on the leg and has 

 capital pasterns. 



All colours seem to be allowable, but dun is not often seen. 

 Greys, however, are frequently met with, and flea-bitten greys 

 are said to be descended from an Arab sent to the Forest by 

 the Prince Consort. They certainly seem to possess something 

 of the Arab character, and are handsome little fellows. 



Polo Ponies 



(Plate, facing p. /6o) 



It has been intimated that in all probability the general interest 

 which is now felt in our native Mountain and Moorland ponies is 

 due in a great measure to the action of the Polo and Riding Pony 

 Society, now the National Pony Society, which has done so much 

 good work, and whose endeavours have been so successful, that 

 it stands out as an extraordinary example of how much can be 

 done in a little time. For when we come to look into details 



