48 THE HORSE. 



It is a 2)ietty geiierallj accepted axiaiii that a tliirteeii-hand 

 poiiy requires half the amount of corn, hay, iaid chop fed to 

 a full-size nag-horse. In jjractice, however, it will be found 

 that a pony should be fed on a more liberal scale than this, if 

 it is to be kept in good condition. The daily allowance of 

 oats may l>e anything from five povmds to eight pounds, ac- 

 cording to the amount of Avork the poiiy is called upon to 

 perform, 



Poniesi are, as a rule, more frugal in their requirements as 

 regards food than horses, while tliey are also hardier and 

 more robust. They need less, attention than a, horse, but this 

 does not mein that they should be neglected in any way. A 

 pony rarely suffers from roaring or wdiistling, complaints 

 which are of common occurrence in horses. 



CHAPTER X. 



HORSES FOR SMALL HOLDINGS. 



General Conformation. — The principal requirements 

 in a fariii horse of good quality are as follow's : The animal 

 should be strongly and compactly built, and possess depth 

 and breadth of body. Its back should be short and broad; 

 the loins require to be broad and strong, and the body must 

 be well-coupled. Viewed from in front, the chest or breast 

 should be wide and veiy muscular, and there should be a 

 good bit of space between the forelegs. The ribs require to 

 be lengthy and '' Vvell-sprung," so as to give ample chest 

 capacity. The hindei' ribs must extend well backwards, and 

 the underline of the barrel or trunk should be as straight 

 as possible from the point of the elbow to the stifflo. Tlic 



