How to Purchase a Horse. 5 3 



bred in Wales, but they are mostly deficient in style and 

 quality, though they can go a great pace. As a rule, Welsh 

 horses are much better than they appear to be : they are 

 hardy, useful, and strong, and will stand a great amount 

 of work; and, in addition, can generally be bought at a 

 price suitable for those who want a useful animal at a 

 moderate price in preference to a showy and expensive 

 one. 



The next variety we will notice is the pony ; and there 

 are various sorts, or rather kinds, named after the counties 

 and localities in which they are bred — as the Welsh, the 

 Scotch, the Exmoor, New Forest, Shetland, &c. They are 

 all rough, strong, and hardy animals, varying in height from 

 12 hands to 14 hands, doing a great amount of hard work 

 at a small expense for keep, &c. Though for the most part 

 well-bred, they are generally deficient about their shoulders, 

 which are low and upright, like those of most ponies. They 

 are of no value for general riding purposes, except to carry 

 children, and are principally used to go in light harness, in 

 which they will do an amount of work almost incredible if 

 properly cared for. They are sure-footed and fast, if not 

 over-weighted, and some make first-rate shooting ponies ; 

 but they rarely grow to much value. The Welsh ponies 

 grow to a larger size than the other sorts I have mentioned, 

 and in all there is a marked improvement of late years, 

 owing to small thorough-bred stallions having been sent 

 into the different districts for the purpose of improving the 

 breeds. The prices would vary from ^£15 to ,£30, accord- 

 ing to circumstances, age, action, &c. 



The Shetland pony is the smallest of his class, seldom 

 exceeding \o\ hands high, some never growing above 9 

 hands high. They are like dray horses in miniature — are 

 very strong, active, and hardy ; have small heads, good 

 shoulders, capital backs and quarters, and from their great 

 beauty, combined with general good temper and docility, 

 are well calculated for the use of children. They are too 

 small for any other purpose, except for drawing a small 

 chaise. Some are very fast and enduring. I once knew 

 one only 10 hands high, that had trotted ten miles within 

 the hour in harness. 



