Pony
A pony is any of several different horse breeds with a specific conformation and temperament. By definition, ponies measure less or equal to 14.2 hands high (hh) (1.47 meters or 4.83 feet) at the withers, where one hand is equal to approximately four inches. However, the term "pony" can be used in general (or affectionately) for any small horse, regardless of its actual size or breed.
Compared to horses, ponies often exhibit thicker manes, tails and overall coat, as well as proportionally shorter legs, wider barrels, heavy bone, thick necks, and short heads with broad foreheads.
For showing purposes, ponies are often grouped into small, medium, and large sizes. Small ponies are 12.2 hh (1.27 meters or 4.17 feet) and under, medium ponies are over 12.2 but no taller than 13.2 hh (1.37 meters or 4.5 feet), and large ponies are over 13.2 hh but no taller than 14.2 hh (1.47 meters or 4.83 feet).
The pony originated from original wild horse prototypes that developed small stature due to living on the margins of livable horse habitat. These smaller animals were domesticated and bred for various purposes, especially in Britain and Ireland. Ponies were historically used as "pit ponies" hauling loads of coal up from the mines, for driving and freight transport, as children's mounts, for recreational riding, and later as competitors and performers in their own right. Larger ponies can be ridden by adults, as ponies are usually very strong.
Ponies are generally considered intelligent, though sometimes said to be stubborn, contemptuous, or devious. The situation may result from individual ponies' lack of proper training. Ponies trained by children, rather than by experienced horse trainers, usually turn out to be spoiled because children typically lack the skill to correct bad habits. Properly trained ponies can be appropriate mounts for children who are learning to ride. However, it is often accepted that ponies tend to be more difficult to handle than many horse breeds, despite their small size.
Small breeds that are not ponies
Some equine breeds are not considered ponies, even when they measure under 14.2 hh, due to body build, traditional uses and overall physiology. Breeds that are considered horses regardless of height include the Arabian horse and the Morgan horse, breeds which have individual members both over and under 14.2 hh. Other horse breeds, such as Icelandic Horse and Fjord Horse, are ponies, but are also generally considered horses.
Conversely, the term "pony" is sometimes used to describe horses of normal height. Horses used for polo are often called "polo ponies", though in the United States and the United Kingdom, they are often of Thoroughbred breeding and often well over 14.2 hh. American Indian tribes also have the tradition of referring to their horses as "ponies," when speaking in English, even though many of the Mustang horses they used in the 19th century were close to or over 14.2 hh, and most horses owned by Native peoples today are of full horse height.
In some registries, such as the American Miniature Horse Association, a miniature horse is also not considered a pony--it is a small horse, under 8.2 hh (86 cm, or 34 in) at the withers. However, there are also miniature pony breeds.
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See also
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