GENERAL REMARKS. 259 



came out in 1894. It contains the pedigrees and par- 

 ticulars of 57 stallions, 316 mares and their produce. 

 There are now 6 volumes, no less than 210 stallions 

 having been registered and 1,147 iriares. The object 

 is a great one, and the thanks and co-operation of 

 all polo players are due to those energetic sportsmen 

 who have worked hard to make the undertaking a 

 success. 



The society is also doing excellent work by having 

 shows, at which valuable prizes are given for every 

 class of riding pony. The information that can be 

 gained by would-be breeders through these shows, and 

 through the Society in general, should be the means of 

 making vast improvements in the breeds of polo and 

 riding ponies in the course of the next few years. 



I presume that the real object of the Polo Pony 

 Stud Book is to get a true breed of pony of a definite 

 stamp, so that a man may be able, with a fair chance 

 of success, to breed a pony of a certain size, quality, 

 and appearance by mating a particular mare and 

 stallion together. At present the usual theory is that 

 there is no certainty as to the result of any particular 

 alliance ; most people imagining that the bigger class 

 of pony is a manufactured breed, and that either 

 sire or dam may throw back to a very much bigger 

 ancestor. But men of experience have discovered that 

 particular mares and stallions get offspring similar to 

 themselves, which is another argument in favour of 

 the Stud Book ; for as the years go on and the produce 

 of those animals already in the book are entered, we 

 shall be able to see which are the stallions and mares 

 that reproduce themselves. 



17 



* 



