pony

pony, any of several breeds of small horses standing less than 14.2 hands (147 cm, or 58 inches) high and noted for gentleness and endurance. Among the common pony breeds are the Shetland, whose docile nature and good endurance make it desirable as a pack animal and a riding horse for children; the Welsh, a hardy breed with fine endurance and style; the Welsh Cob, noted for its high-stepping action; the Exmoor and Dartmoor, native to the moors of Somerset, Devon, and Cornwall, England, and now used to breed polo ponies; and the Highland, a thick, gray saddle animal.

Selected breeds of ponies

	name	origin	height (hands)*	aptitude	characteristics	comments
*1 hand = 4 inches (10.16 cm).
	Connemara	Ireland	13–14.2	riding; light draft	well-formed hindquarters with high-set tail; long neck with full mane; well-muscled legs	Ireland's only indigenous breed; extremely hardy; known for its exceptional jumping ability and the ease of its gait
	Pony of the Americas	U.S.	11.2–13.2	riding	Appaloosa colouring; well-pricked ears; large, prominent eyes	cross between a Shetland pony stallion and an Appaloosa mare; developed as a versatile child's mount
	Shetland	Shetland Islands, Scotland	10	riding, light draft	thick mane and tail; small head with pronounced jaw; short, muscular neck	thought to have existed since the Bronze Age; very powerful; used as a pit pony in mines of Great Britain in the 19th century; a popular child's mount
	Welsh	Wales	12.2–13.2	riding, light draft	fine head with large eyes and small ears; typically gray in colour	very hardy; Arabian influence; excellent gaits