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CHAPTER VIII. 



VARIOUS BREEDS OF POLO PONIES. 



General remarks — English ponies — Arabs — Eg}-ptians — Syrians — Barbs — 

 Argentines — North Americans — Californian ponies — Mexicans — Montana 

 ponies — Gulf Arabs or Persians — Indian country -breds — South African ponies 

 — Australasians — Canadians — Importation of ponies. 



GENERAL REMARKS. 



The different breeds of ponies have their respective 

 merits, which may be profitably studied by the intend- 

 ing purchaser, the nature of whose weight, strength, 

 horsemanship or pocket may be better suited by one 

 class of animal than by another. Besides, the demand 

 for well-bred galloping ponies so far exceeds the 

 supply, that various foreign countries are drawn upon 

 to meet it. Not only has the number of players 

 increased, but the improvement in the game necessi- 

 tates the use of a class of pony which will be always 

 comparatively difficult to find. 



The principal breeds of ponies now played In 

 England are: — (i) English, by which term I wish to 

 include Irish, Welsh and Scotch ; and (2) Americans, 

 including those from the Argentine Republic, Mexico, 

 Texas and Montana. There are also a few instances 

 of Arabs, Australians, ISarbs, Syrians, Egyptians, 



