CHAPTER XIII. 



PONY TYPES. 



PONIES vary greatly in conformation, yet the fact that 

 they are diminutive horses, classifies them as ponies, any- 

 thing under 1414 hands (57 inches) being usually regarded 

 as such. There are many breeds of ponies, but of those 

 known in America the Shetland is the only one at all com- 

 mon among the so-called improved breeds. This, in its 

 best form, is a miniature heavy harness horse with a strong 

 tendency to draft character. The Welch and Hackney 

 ponies are of the heavy harness type, with very pronounced 

 high action. The Arabian is a pony of the American saddle 

 horse type, without its extreme characteristics. 



The judging of the Shetland pony is usually based on 

 the standard or scale of points of the American Shetland 

 Pony Club, which is as follows: 



SCALE OF POINTS FOB SHETLAND PONY. 



\ Points 

 ^ Constitution indicated by general healthy appearance, perfect respira- 

 tion, brightness of eyes 10 



Size Ponies over four years old, 42 inches and under in height; two 

 points to be deducted for every inch over 42 inches up to 46 inches, 

 fractional portions to count as full inches 25 



Head, symmetrical, rather small and fine, wide between eyes, ears short 



and erect 10 



Body Barrel well rounded, back short and level, deep chested, good 



breast, compact, "pony build" 10 



Legs, muscular, flat boned, hind legs not cow-hocked or too crooked . . 25 



Mane and tail Foretop, mane and tail heavy 10 



Feet, good 10 



Total 100 



170 



