PONIES. 39 



ness in the region of the head being decidedly 

 objectionable. 



The general build of a pony should comprise 

 oblique shoulders, moderately high withers, a deep 

 chest, well sprung ribs ; but a shghtly fiat side is the 

 best for saddle purposes. A short back, with well- 

 rounded quarters, and gracefully-turned croup and 

 stifle, are the essentials of beauty in these regions. If 

 a pony is narrow in front, shallow chested, or tucked 

 up at the flank, and has a drooping croup, it gives 

 him a very weedy appearance. The same remark 

 applies when his legs are too long and deficient in 

 bone and substance, more especially if the pony is 

 inclined to have upright pasterns, and boxy feet. 

 These are all defects of conformation, but defective 

 conformation does not constitute unsoundness, and 

 a veterinary surgeon can only reject such an animal 

 when he has good reasons for believing that the 

 defects will interfere with its future utility. 



If the reader contemplates purchasing a pony, 

 the writer advises that he should have it examined 

 by a veterinary surgeon, and if he is satisfied as to 

 its soundness, ask the seller to let him have it on, 

 say, a week or ten days' trial, so that the buyer 

 will have an opportunity of ascertaining its good 

 and bad points. Select a pony about five years 



