THE POLO PONY. 145 



capable of carrying a heavy weight, when in fair hunting condition, exceeds 

 1,150 Ibs. ; of middle weight, weighs between 1,050 Ibs. and 1,150 Ibs. ; 

 and light weight, weighs less than 1,050 Ibs. 



" If a horse is entered in a class where, in the judges' opinion, he is 

 up to more weight than the class calls for, he shall receive no consideration 

 for his extra ' weight-carrying qualities.'" From the Prize List of the 

 Boston Horse Show, 1899. 



THE POLO PONY. 



The height of a polo pony is usually not less than 

 13.2. The rules of the Polo Association now nominally 

 require that a pony should be under 14.2 ; and this height 

 is seldom exceeded. Ponies are divided into three classes 

 according to their weight-carrying ability and are known 

 as light, middle and heavy weight ponies. A novice should 

 study the characteristics of the ponies of the best players 

 and note carefully in what respects they differ from the 

 poorer ponies. In buying it is desirable to obtain ponies 

 that are well trained ; those that are good in every respect 

 except in the matter of speed are the best for a beginner, 

 and such ponies may often be obtained from a good player 

 who wishes to get faster ponies. A little discretion and hesi- 

 tancy on the part of a buyer will often save him from pay- 

 ing for his experience by the purchase of one or more ponies 

 that are only fit to review the game on or to shake his con- 

 stitution into a healthy state of activity. A good test of 

 a pony is to put him through his " tricks " in company with 

 a friend on a recognized first-class pony and to compare the 

 way in which the two ponies acquit themselves. 



Captain Hayes, in " The Points of the Horse," p. 276, de- 

 fines the qualifications of a polo pony as follows : 



" Handiness and speed, with sufficient staying and weight-carrying 

 power, are the two chief requirements of the polo pony. Consequently, he 



