114 BREEDING PONIES. 



been very fortunate in the matter of hacks, 

 I don't know that I have been much better 

 carried since. But the average pony of that 

 period, though hardy and useful, was apt 

 to be bad-shouldered and cow-hocked. Some 

 young ones which I have again now show, 

 however, la marked improvement in these 

 and other respects. 



Taking then our native stock of pony 

 mares for a foundation, and choosing such 

 as are well made, short-legged, of good bone, 

 and what is called " roomy," we may proceed 

 to cross them in one or two ways — either 

 with a small thoroughbred or a " Hackney 

 Stud Book " sire. Of the two, with the 

 intention of breeding ponies for my own 

 use, I should prefer the former, because I 

 not only so much admire the thoroughbred 

 shape and make, but also prefer the long 

 thoroughbred action, which steals over the 

 ground without perceptible effort, and can 

 be continued all day without fatigue- to horse 



