150 LIGHT HORSES: BREEDS AND MANAGEMENT. 



wants. It is useless to keep on in-breeding three-cornered 

 looking wretches with each other. This can only have the 

 effect of intensifying their faults, and making the eradication 

 of the same more difficult when the time arrives for their 

 effacement. In the case of good-looking little ones, the prin- 

 ciple to act upon is entirely reversed, but, as has been observed 

 in an earlier portion of this chapter, it should always be a case 

 of sire upon daughter and son upon dam, and not brother 

 upon sister. 



Having thus expressed the difficulty that exists in dis- 

 covering the identity of many ponies as they exist, the writer, 

 with all diffidence, will attempt the task of presenting his 

 readers with a brief outline of the chief points to be sought 

 for in the most famous breeds. The selection of the order in 

 which they shall be dealt with is in itself a delicate duty to 

 have to perform, and, therefore, it may be best to deal with 

 them alphabetically. 



The Exmoor is unquestionably a very grand little animal for 

 an ambitious breeder to commence working upon, always 

 provided that he is fortunate enough to obtain possession of 

 the right sort of materials. This variety is particularly hardy 

 and sure-footed, averaging about twelve hands in height, and 

 being usually of a good sound dark colour principally bays, 

 with mealy noses. Their heads are intelligent-looking and 

 fine, with remarkably sharp ears, and their shoulders very 

 good, which is a point that is very often deficient in a pony. 

 Their backs are powerful, and legs short with good feet. The 

 Exmoor is a most active, nippy pony, and is often a remark- 

 able jumper for his inches, whilst his constitution is of the 

 very best. That they afford a practical illustration of the pos- 

 sibility of in-breeding, combined with short commons, having 

 the effect of dwarfing horse-flesh, is a fact that cannot be denied, 

 and must be apparent to most persons who give their minds 

 to a contemplation of the subject ; but, unfortunately, there 

 are very few of the old strain to be met with. About the 

 time of the Battle of Waterloo, according to the assertions of 



