BREEDING PONIES. 109 



was a tiny animal, seldom more than eleven, 

 at most twelve" hands, but of great hardihood 

 and endurance. He has, however, been 

 greatly developed both in size and symmetry, 

 first by Mr. Smith of North Molton, and 

 then by the late Sir Prederick Knight, who 

 ran for years near his place at Simonsbath 

 a notable little stallion called Don Juan (I 

 think by the Leger winner, Booi John by 

 EarJcaioay), as perfect a specimen of the 

 blood pony as one could wish to see, and 

 whose stock have achieved a great reputation. 

 The Welsh ponies, too, were largely crossed 

 early in the century with the thoroughbred, 

 the best being bred near Wynnstay, where 

 the farmers had the use of Sir Watkin's 

 stallions for their mares. But unless we 

 have to go back to the famous but somewhat 

 mythical Katerfelto, the New Porest breed 

 was the earliest to be influenced by the all- 

 desirable strain of warm blood from the East ; 

 for, more than a century ago, about 1766, 



