THE FAMILY PONY. 143 



Leads are somewhat large and heavy, and though very fast, 

 these ponies are deficient in style and action, but they are 

 remarkable for their endurance and sure-footedness. 



Unbroken ponies can usually be purchased at horse fairs — 

 those in England being generally from Wales and Ireland. It 

 is well known that the best are those reared on mountain sides, 

 where short, sweet herbage is to be found, and their robustness 

 is accounted for by the weakly, crippled ones dying ofi" during 

 the severe winters, the strong-constitutioned ones only sur- 

 viving ; and the exertion these have to make over the rugged 

 precipitous ground to obtain a living makes them active, well- 

 balanced on their limbs, and safe on their feet. "A mountain- 

 bred pony never falls unless over-weighted or over-tired, and it 

 is very difficult to tire one. Ponies bred on wild rough land 

 are certainly not so subject to the numerous diseases of an 

 inflammatory character that are the curse of studs, where 

 horses of the finest pedigree are reared with as much care and 

 more expense than is bestowed on the most aristocratic babies. 

 Like Red Indians, only those of stout constitution survive the 

 hardships of infancy or foalhood; ponies that have reached 

 maturity and been broken to harness or saddle, are more likely 

 to be sound than full-sized horses, because only the best are 

 worth sending for sale out of their native localities." 



Ponies are used for carrying nursery panniers, for riding, 

 and for harness. 



A pannier pony should be very quiet and steady, rather 

 small, but strong, with a round body and wide back ; it should 

 also be good in its walking pace — smooth and easy, and yet 

 free from stumbling or blundering. Children should not be 

 carried by it until it is well trained to carry a load, and to 

 be led demurely. The bridle should be a snaflle, the bit being 

 secured by reins to the flaps of the saddle, and a long rein 

 being passed through the rings to lead with. Sometimes a 

 light bamboo rod with a swivel spring-hook at the end, to fix 



