THE CHOICE OF A HORSE 43 



A boy's pony should be narrow between the 

 rider's legs, and a saddle with no stuffing in the 

 flaps should be used. This is most important, as 

 a little fellow with short legs, in trying to stretch 

 across a wide-barrelled pony, has his seat spoilt, and 

 perhaps the proper growth of his limbs seriously 

 interfered with. 



If a parent has not the requisite knowledge of 

 horse-flesh, he had better employ a dealer to find 

 the animal he wants ; but it very often happens that 

 a friend has a pony to part with which his boy has 

 outgrown. The advantage of going to a respect- 

 able dealer is that you can return the pony if it 

 does not suit, and I think it is the most satisfactory 

 plan. Make a very careful trial before you decide 

 to keep, and it is as well not to make up your 

 mind until you have had the pony two or three 

 days in the stable. 



I do not think that there is sufficient attention 

 given to breaking in small ponies, and people do not 

 appreciate the importance of having them properly 

 trained for beginners. Fathers and mothers would 

 be saved much painful anxiety if they could have 

 perfect confidence in their youngsters' mounts. A 

 pony of good disposition is very easily taught, and 

 there would be no difficulty in training it not to 

 kick, to stand still if the boy falls off, or to behave 

 well under any circumstance that may arise. In 

 these days no pony can be considered fit for a 

 boy until it has become thoroughly accustomed to 

 motor-cars and steam-rollers. 



