A Pony is Every Inch an Equine

Everybody knows what a pony is, right? A common definition is that a pony is an equine measuring up to, but not over, 14.2 hands (58 inches or 148 cm) high at the withers, but a closer look at the world of ponies shows that this simple answer is far from complete.

Going to the dictionary isn’t much help. Merriam-Webster defines a pony as a small horse and mentions that the word possibly derives from a French term for a colt or foal, linking the ideas of young horses and small horses. Amazingly, it is not uncommon to talk to a person who believes that a pony is just a young equine that will “grow up” to be a full-sized horse.

An animal between 46 and 58 inches (117 to 148 cm) tall can be double-registered with both the American Quarter Horse Association and the American Quarter Pony Association, proving that small stature does not necessarily prevent an animal from qualifying as a horse. The best example of this principle is the Miniature Horse, a breed featuring the world’s smallest equines. These tiny animals are invariably referred to as horses, never as ponies, though the largest animals in the registry are only 34 inches (86 cm) high at the withers.

Ask at the racetrack, and an outrider will tell you that a pony is a mount used to lead a racehorse to the starting gate. A trainer in any discipline may say that he uses a quiet horse to “pony” another animal, explaining that he rides one horse while leading another, counting on the older, calmer horse to help control and reassure the youngster. And polo ponies and cow ponies can be of any height, so the term can describe not a size but a use to which an equine is put.

Although an exact definition may be elusive, most people know a pony when they see one. What comes to mind is an animal that is smaller and often somewhat more heavy-bodied for its size than a horse. This image is epitomized by the Shetland pony, a stocky animal with short legs and a thick mane and tail. The Shetland has its roots in Scotland, where it was used in underground mines as well as for riding, packing, and driving. Shetland ponies were brought to the United States in the 1880s. While the classic type is still seen, crosses with larger and lighter-bodied horses produced the modern Shetland. This taller pony with a more refined coat and bone structure usually measures no more than 46 inches (117 cm), and is ridden and driven in many disciplines. Shetlands and other ponies have found a role in therapeutic programs for emotionally disturbed or critically ill children, and they are popular guests at nursing homes that feature visits from dogs, cats, and other animals.

The British Isles produced other pony breeds including the Connemara, a large pony known for its jumping ability, and the strong, heavy-boned Fell and Dales ponies which are used for pleasure riding, endurance, agricultural work, and trekking. Welsh ponies were bred in the mountains of Wales, are often dappled gray in color, and excel as driving ponies and as children’s hacks or jumpers.

A popular driving breed is the Haflinger, developed in Austria by improving native mountain ponies with Arab blood. Always chestnut in color with a flaxen mane and tail, these large, muscular ponies are used for agricultural work and pleasure driving. A finer-bodied harness favorite is the Hackney pony, recognized for its exaggerated knee action and elegant way of going.

An erect mane and a dark dorsal stripe are identifying marks of the Norwegian Fjord, a powerful but gentle animal whose appearance has changed very little since its use by the Vikings in battles and as a plow horse. Ranging in dun coat color from reddish to medium brown, Fjords measure up to 14.2 hands (58 inches or 148 cm) and are popular riding, driving, and work horses in Europe and America. The Icelandic pony shares the same heritage, having been developed from Fjord horses and Celtic ponies. Icelandic ponies are usually no larger than 13 hands (52 inches or 132 cm) and share the versatility of other pony breeds. Popular for riding because of exceptional strength in a small frame, the Icelandic pony is known for two unique gaits, the slow and comfortable amble and the very fast but smooth tolt.

Australian breeders developed the Australian Pony by crossing British ponies with Arabs and Thoroughbreds. Registration began in 1929 for these lively and athletic equines. Averaging 12 to 14 hands (48 to 56 inches or 122 to 142 cm), they are used mostly as pleasure and competition mounts for children and small adults.

Creation of new pony breeds often results from the desire to produce a particular horse trait in a smaller equine. The Pony of the Americas (POA) registry was started in the 1960s by crossing a Shetland stallion with an Appaloosa mare. The resulting medium-sized animals sporting Appaloosa color patterns have become popular as children’s mounts.

Basic equine nutrition principles can be applied to ponies, but there are some important exceptions. Because a pony’s digestive system is the same as that of any other equine, the basis of the diet should be forage (hay or grass). Ponies also need vitamins and minerals, so it may be necessary to provide supplementation in areas where the soil has known deficiencies (for example, selenium). Water and salt should be provided free-choice. The largest ponies can be fed on much the same basis as other horses, taking into account their size, workload, stage of growth, and reproductive status. Tall, thin animals that are classified as ponies only because of their height will do well on grass or hay, with grain added only to supply extra energy for hard work. Because small and medium ponies tend to be easy keepers, maintaining or even gaining weight on a grass-only diet, feeding grain must be done with great care, if at all. Small measures of a low-energy vitamin and mineral product can safely supply proper levels of nutrients without risking carbohydrate overload from grain meals. Care must be taken to prevent heavy, cresty ponies from overgrazing lush pastures. To avoid colic and laminitis, these models of feed efficiency often wear a grazing muzzle or spend time in a drylot.

For more information on ponies, see these articles:

• Feeding the Miniature Horse
• Norwegian Fjord Horses