CHAPTER XXI 



I 



PONIES 



A standard height for a pony does not obtain, but the line 

 between a true pony and a horse is drawn at 14^ hands, any- 

 thing over this passing out of the pony class. 



The polo pony is not a breed, but represents a type and size 

 suitable to be used in playing polo. For this purpose anything 

 possessing the necessary speed, activity, endurance, and intelli- 

 gence will do. The maximum height allowed by the American 

 Polo Association is 14^ hands. Small Thoroughbreds, Western 



ponies, and cross or half breds 

 are popular. 



The Welsh pony is a class 

 that has long been bred in 

 Wales and is now receiving 

 more recognition than ever be- 

 fore. They have been some- 

 what improved by Arab and 

 Thoroughbred blood in the 

 past, and so often show the 

 influence of superior breeding. 

 These ponies, however, offer 

 considerable variation, and 

 even among the people of 

 Wales are not altogether re- 

 garded as a breed. In Wales 

 and western England one will 

 see these ponies in various 

 sizes and types. In 1897, the writer visited one of the largest 

 studs in Wales, where many fine ponies were shown, but where 

 considerable difference of type was to be seen. In Wales there 

 is a Welsh Pony and Cob Society for promoting and registering 



146 



Fig. 53. A typical Welsh pony, bred by 

 John Jones, Llandudno, Wales. From 

 photograph by author 



