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Pony Articles



FAMOUS PONIES

Misty Of Chincoteague

BREEDS OF PONIES

CONNEMARA

Connemara Ponies have existed in Western Ireland for many years although the exact origins of the ponies is unclear. The Connemara was used as a pack pony carrying loads of seaweed, peat, corn and potatoes to market and also used for agricultural work. The first volume of the Connemara Pony stud was published in 1926 and the Connemara Pony Breeder's Society was formed in 1928.

The Connemara Pony stands 13 to 14.2 hh.and is most usually grey, but bay, black, brown, dun, and occasionally roan, chestnut and palomino.

The Connemara has a well shaped head, compact body with medium length neck, fine sloping shoulder, strong back, well developed quarters and short legs. Hardy and strong. Free and active moving.

The Connemara pony is good tempered, sensible and intelligent with good jumping ability.
The Connemara is an excellent child or adult's pony. Ideal for show jumping and driving.

DALES

The Dales Pony is native to the Yorkshire Dales in the North East of England and related to the Fell Pony. In the last century Dale ponies were used to carry lead from the mines to the ports and were also used for agricultural work. The Dales pony almost became extinct in the 1950s but numbers increased after the formation of the Dales Pony Society in 1963.

The Dales pony stands 13.2 to 14.2 hh. and is most usually black but bay, brown and occasionally greys occur.

The Dales pony has a pony-like head, short strong neck, straight shoulders, strong back and hindquarters, thick mane and tail. Hardy and strong with good stamina, fast trotter. They are docile, sensible and hard working.

The Dales pony is an ideal trekking pony and good general riding pony. Due to its strength it is more suitable for adults than children.

DARTMOOR

The Dartmoor Pony has inhabited the moorland of Southern Devon for many years and is related to the Exmoor Pony. Dartmoor Ponies were used to carry tin from the mines and left to roam free on the moors following the closure of the mines.

The Dartmoor Pony stands up to 12.2 hh.and is bay, brown or black although other colours may occur.

The Dartmoor Pony has a small head, strong neck, strong back and highquarters. Hardy, strong, versatile, a good jumper and long lived. Good stamina.

The Dartmoor Pony is reliable, sensible, kind and quiet and is an excellent child's pony or driving pony.

EXMOOR

The Exmoor pony has inhabited the Exmoor moorland of South-West Britain for many years. 104 Exmoor brood mares were recorded in the Doomsday Book of 1085 and by 1700 local farmers were allowed to graze their ponies on the Forest. A Stud Book of Exmoor ponies existed but was destroyed in World War II and a new Stud Book started in 1952.  

This Pony stands up to 12.3 hh.

The Exmoor Pony is brown, bay or dun with black points and easily distinguishable from its mealy muzzle.

The Exmoor Pony has a wide forehead with large eyes, thick neck, deep chest, well laid back shoulders, broad back and short legs. Hardy, strong, good stamina, straight and smooth action.

The Exmoor Pony is alert, intelligent and kind.

The Exmoor Pony is an ideal child's pony and driving pony.

FELL

The Fell Pony is related to the Dales Pony and inhabits the hills and mountains of Cumbria. Fell Ponies were used as pack ponies carrying lead from the mines and were also used for pulling carts and trotting races.

The Fell Pony stands 13 to 14 hh.

The Fell Pony is usually black but bay, brown and grey can occur.

The Fell Pony has a small head with broad forehead, sloping shoulders, muscular body, strong back and hindquarters, full mane and tail. Strong, good stamina, active movement and fast trot.

Fell ponies are lively and hard working.

The Fell Pony is a good general purpose pony, ideal trekking pony and driving pony.

HACKNEY

The Hackney horse was bred from Norfolk and Yorkshire Trotters and also has Arab and Thoroughbred breeding. They were used mainly as harness horses and the Hackney Horse Society was founded in 1883. Later the Hackney horse was crossed with the ponies to create the Hackney pony and there are now separate stud books for horses and ponies.

The Hackney Pony stands from 12.2 to 14.2 hh.

The Hackney Pony can be bay, dark brown, chestnut or black.

The Hackney has a small head, long neck and compact body, staight shoulders, short legs and tailed carried high. High knee action in trot, good stamina.

Alert, spirited and brave.

The HackneyPony is used primarily for driving.

HIGHLAND

The Highland pony has inhabited Northern Scotland for many years and was used as a pack and agricultural pony. Highland ponies were also used as a hunting pony and driving pony. The Highland Pony Society was formed in 1923.

The Highland pony stands 13 to 14.2 hh.

The Highland pony is dun, black, grey, or chestnut with silver mane or brown.

The Highland has a broad neat head, strong neck, strong body with short back, short strong legs, flowing mane and full tail. Free and straight action.

The Highland Pony is docile, intelligent and sensitive.

The Highland pony makes a good child's pony. Good trekking pony and driving pony. Often used for forestry work.

NEW FOREST

he New Forest Pony inhabits the forests of Hampshire and has done so for many years. Ponies were recorded as roaming the forests in 1016 and many breeds were turned out into the forests over the years. An arab owned by Queen Victoria was lent out from 1852 to 1860 in order to improve the breed and later Highland and Fell stallions were introduced, along with Dartmoor, Exmoor and Welsh blood. In 1891 a Society was formed to improve the New Forest Ponies and in 1906 the Burley and District New Forest Pony and Cattle Breeding Society registered ponies and published their first Stud Book in 1910. Since 1930 no outside blood has been permitted and the New Forest Pony Breeding and Cattle Breeding Society was formed in 1960 and published its own Stud Book.
Height of the New Forest Pony

The New Forest Pony stands 12 to 14.2 hh.

The New Forest Pony can be any colour except Piebald and Skewbald.

The New Forest Pony has a long head, short neck, sloping shoulders, short back, strong hindquarters. Hardy, straight action.

Intelligent, willing, docile and friendly.

The New Forest Pony is an ideal general riding pony for both children and adults. Good driving pony.

POA

The POA first was developed in 1954, when Leslie Boomhower, an Iowa breeder of Shetland Ponies, founded the breed. A friend offered him an Arabian/Appaloosa mare that had been accidentally bred to a Shetland Pony stallion. Boomhower accepted the offer after the colt was born. The colt was named Black Hand, and he became the foundation sire for the breed.

Other breeds, including the American Quarter Horse, Welsh Pony, Thoroughbred, Wild Mustang and Arabian have been used to infuse athleticism, stamina, and size.

Today there are almost 50,000 registered POAs in the United States. The ponies are presently being bred to have less Shetland Pony blood, with breeders striving for a little horse rather than pony conformation.

The POA was originally developed for small riders in need of a mount larger than a small pony, but not the size of a full-fledged horse. The breed standard originally had the height requirement between 11 and 13 hands (44 to 52 inches). However, since that time the height range has been changed to 11.2-14.0 hands (46-56 inches).

The head has large, expressive eyes with a small, refined, and sometimes has a "dished" face similar to an Arabian. The body is more like a stock horse, with plenty of muscling like a Quarter Horse, with a broad chest, round belly, sloping shoulders, and powerful hindquarters. The pony should have free-flowing movement, and the tail is never carried high. Today's POAs have the desirable movement of a forward-moving Quarter or Appaloosa horse. Troping and "peanut rolling" are discouraged. A level head set, smooth, slow movement and true gaits are desired.

The coloring of the pony must be the markings of an Appaloosa, and visible from a distance of 40 feet (12 m). This includes the spotted coat in any Appaloosa pattern and the white sclera, mottled skin around the eye, muzzle, and genitals, as well as striped hooves.

POAs are very versatile and are an easy pick for a youth mount. Adults also enjoy riding and showing POAs.

QUARTER PONY

The Quarter Pony is a small scale replica of a quarter horse. Unlike the quarter horse, the Quarter Pony may come in any color, or combination of colors. The quarter pony has been around for many years, deriving from quarter horses not reaching the AQHA's minimum (14.2h) height requirement of the early years. Even though the AQHA's height requirement was later phased out, the quarter pony continued, only to evolve into one of the largest and most popular pony breeds in the US today. Many Quarter Ponies are in fact foundation bred registered quarter horses. Previously registered American Quarter Horse Association, Foundation Quarter Horse Association, American Paint Horse Association, Appaloosa Horse Club, National Quarter Pony Association, Ponies of the Americas, American Quarter Pony Association's between 11.2h(46") and 14.2h(58") may file for double registration, compete, and participate in International Quarter Pony approved events.

The most recent evolution in the quarter pony industry is the acceptance of various colors and color patterns, rather than sticking to the original standard of only accepting solid colored ponies for registration. Acceptance of color is enabling breeders to breed those all so sought after color patterns such as the tobiano and overo paint patterns as well as the blanketed appaloosa patterns onto the quarter pony size and conformation. Known quarter horse bloodlines are encouraged but not required. Quarter Ponies are found among the finest of bloodlines.

The Quarter Pony is a vastly popular and growing breed, as theiq pony International Quarter Pony appeal is, truly international. The IQPA was instituted to provide and promote a correct, well-balanced, sound pony with quarter horse conformation and enough body, speed, and eye appeal to sufficiently compete with larger breeds as well as other ponies.

The Quarter Pony is perfectly suited for riders who are too small to handle, or who simply don't wish to handle, a big 15h or 16h horse. Quarter ponies are often the first choice for a child's mount due to their calm dispositions and even temperaments combined with their compact size. Most quarter ponies average around 13.2h and weigh #800-#900, however, many breeders are beginning to raise quarter ponies weighing in excess of #1100, at 13.2h-14h tall. These heavily muscled quarter ponies are quite suitable for the smaller, as well as the larger riders, and are often being used to compete in such (mostly adult) events as Bull Dogging or Steer Wrestling. The International Quarter Pony is a conformation and height breed, which must measure between 11.2h (46") and 14.2h (58") at the withers at maturity.

SHETLAND

Classic:

The Classic American Shetland Ponies ancestry dates back to the Shetland Islands, where ponies roamed the hills and moors of Shetland as early as the 8th and 9th centuries. Shetlands were brought to this country in the 1800's and first registered in the United States in 1888 by the American Shetland Pony Club. The Shetland Pony, having been in the United States for more than 100 years, has been selectively bred for refinement... resulting in a sturdy but elegant pony.

With a maximum height of 46 inches, Shetlands are the perfect starter size pony for a child. Bred to pull ore carts in coal mines in the mid 1800's, Shetlands have retained an innate driving ability. A well-trained Shetland not only excels at driving, but also is a sturdy and reliable mount for any child.

These ponies are hardy and take the same health care as their larger cousins, the horse, only the feed and stabling is in proportionately smaller amounts. Owning a Classic Shetland does not require expensive equipment; your equipment can range from the barest essentials such as simple grooming tools, a halter, bridle and saddle to the equipment necessary for a hitch of work ponies or the elegance of antique carriages. The choice is yours to make. There is a place here for everyone.

There are a wide variety of activities you can enjoy with your Classic Pony. Competition ranges from leadline classes for the small child to the very competitive driving and halter classes for older children and adults.

A pony makes a great, trustworthy childhood companion who will share many adventures expanding your child's imagination. Classic American Shetland Ponies have been used successfully in therapeutic programs for the physically and mentally challenged. Pony Hitches have livened up many a parade and are used regularly in a working environment.

The love and devotion a pony can offer is giant sized. Introduce yourself or your child to the world of the Classic American Shetland Pony by visiting a farm or horse show with Classic Shetlands. Your child will never outgrow the love they have for their pony and neither will you... the Classic American Shetland has an appeal that lasts beyond childhood.

Modern:

The Modern Shetland Pony is elegance in motion. This pony combines the historic hardiness of the Classic Shetland Pony with an outcross of an animated and superiorly refined breed. This cross-produced a long shapely neck and fine boned sophisticated pony with extreme action and a spirited personality that lends itself well to the show ring. Like all Shetlands, Moderns are not to exceed 46" and they come in any color.

The Modern Shetland Pony is shown in two height divisions, under 43" and 43" to 46". They are shown in breeding/halter classes and performance classes, which include roadster, harness and pleasure driving.

A well-trained Modern Shetland makes an agile, quick thinking mount for a child and can be used for everything from gymkhana ponies to hunter/jumpers. A good headset, superb carriage and high action most often define a great Modern Shetland performance pony. This is an elegant animal with all the pomp and sophistication of a carriage horse and the hardiness of a pony.

Modern Shetlands will thrill you with that high-stepping action, the fire of energy and style they bring to the show ring, the fun and fast thinking of an event horse or the elegance they bring to a carriage ride down the lane.
Let yourself be carried away by the beauty and majesty of The Modern American Shetland Pony.

WELSH

The Welsh Pony designates a group of four related types of pony and horse native to Wales: the Welsh mountain pony (Section A), the Welsh pony (Section B), the Welsh pony of cob type (Section C), and the Welsh Cob (Section D).

Welsh ponies and cobs are suitable mounts for both children and adults. The modern Welsh Pony is known as a riding and driving pony. It is shown both in hand and under saddle, including hunter/jumper and dressage competition, and is a popular children's pony. They have a reputaton for intelligence, friendly personalities and even temperaments, allowing them to be easily trained. The breed is used for many forms of equestrianism, including pleasure riding, as well as horse show competition. The Welsh also crosses well with many other breeds and has influenced the Pony of the Americas and the British Riding Pony. Many are also crossbred with Thoroughbreds, and other horse breeds. The Welara, a cross between the Welsh pony and the Arabian horse, has its own registry.

All sections of Welsh ponies and Welsh cobs are sure-footed with sound feet, dense bone, and are very hardy. The ponies should have a well-laid back shoulder, deep chest, short back, well-sprung rib cage and strong hindquarters. Their legs should be clean" with good bone, short cannons and correct hocks. They exhibit the substance, stamina and soundness of their ancestral bloodstock.

Welsh ponies may be any coat colour except the spotted patterns such as pinto or Appaloosa.

Section A

The Welsh Mountain Pony (Section A) may not exceed 12.2 hands (127 cm or 50 inches) in the US[2] or 12 hh or 121.9 cm in the United Kingdom.

The Section A Welsh Pony is also known as the Welsh Mountain pony. Both the Section A and Section B ponies are more refined than those in Section C and D. They are characterized from the cob types by a large eye, small head (often with a dished face from the Arabian influence}, high set on tail, and refined leg conformation, but retaining good bone and correctness.

Section B

The Welsh Pony of Riding Type (Section B) is the second division within the Welsh pony registry.

Section B ponies are taller than the closely related Welsh mountain pony (Section A) with a maximum height of 13.2 hh (1.37 m) in the UK and 14.2 hh (1.47 m) in the U.S. They are known for elegant movement and athletic ability while still retaining the substance and hardiness of the foundation stock, the Section A Welsh pony.

Section B ponies also generally have a slightly lighter build, as a result of Thoroughbred and Hackney blood. Section B ponies should resemble the Section A pony, but are of a more refined "riding type". However, they should not be light of bone; they should resemble their Mountain Pony ancestors for quality of bone. In addition to the desirable characteristics of the Type A pony, Type B ponies have a free-flowing movement. They should have a muscular neck, arching from withers to poll, and have a deep, wide chest.

Section C

The Welsh pony of Cob Type (Section C) should be no taller than 13.2 hands (137 cm). However, unlike the Welsh pony (Section B), it is heavier and more coblike and compact.[5]

The Welsh Pony of Cob Type first resulted from a crossbreeding between the Welsh mountain pony (Section A) and the Welsh Cob (Section D). There were also crosses with Iberian horses, which led to the development of the Powys horse, which was also a foundation for this type. Other breeds also influenced the Section C, including the Norfolk Roadster, the Hackney and Yorkshire Coach Horse.

Cob type ponies differ from the section A and B ponies in that they have a straight profile with large, expressive eyes. They have clean limbs with silky feathering, and have sound feet. Their movement is high-stepping but with good reach in the shoulder and impulsion from the hindquarters. They have a round barrel and compact back with good muscling.

The Welsh Pony of Cob Type is considered to have a more independent character than the Section A or Section B. They are easy keepers and have excellent endurance. Today, the type is used mainly in harness for competitive driving.

Section D - Cob

The Welsh Cob (Section D) is the largest-sized animal within the Welsh pony and cob breed registries, and is no shorter than 13.2 hands. Under some organization rules there may be no upper height limit, others require they not be over 14.2hh.[6][7]
A Welsh Cob under saddle
A Welsh Cob under saddle

Though they are the tallest and stockiest of the Welsh sections, the head remains full of pony character, with large eyes, and neat ears. Mature stallions have somewhat cresty necks, those of mares are generally leaner. Like the section C, they have powerful, extravagent action. Grey coloring is rarer in the section D cob than other types of Welsh ponies, but bold white markings are common.

Today, the Section D is best known for use in harness driving, but they are also shown under saddle and in hand. Like other Welsh ponies, Cobs are also exhibited over fences as hunters and jumpers].

Prolific Ponies

Crystal Lady

(1939 - 1972) Hackney Mare. Brown, small star, hind feet and fetlocks white, 13 hands high. Bred by James B. Johnson, Jr. Rochester, Michigan. Purchased by Mrs. Victoria Armstrong, A.B.C. Farms, from Frank Verroche, St.Catherines, Ontario in 1944. This remarkable pony had a record of 73 Grand Champion awards during her years in the show rings of the North America continent. She was proclaimed World Harness Pony Champion in Chicago in 1948. She also won the Harness Pony Championship at the Royal for seven consecutive years 1947-1953. Trained by "Chap" Carter. She retired at age 15 on November 20th, 1954 at the RAWF. (Inducted March 2001)

Mr. Sandman

Sired by Stonehedge L'il Abner and out of Originality - Hackney Stallion born in 1953. Mr. Sandman was shown for a short period and then turned out. Bill Robinson saw him in the field and he was purchased by Mrs. Victoria Armstrong, ABC Farms. Jan.1967 "Mr. Sandman driven by Jerry Bayman, ABC Farms trainer, was named All American Harness Show Pony Division. World Champion Mr. Sandman was never beaten in his last two years of showing as Bill Robinson showed Mr. Sandman to 52 consecutive wins!. Mr. Sandman was sold and went to California for stud duty, there he sired many top ponies.

Dyoll Starlight

This famous gray Welsh Mountain Pony Section A Stallion (foaled 16th May 1894), was bred by Mr H Meuric Lloyd (Dyoll is Lloyd backwards), the Lloyds of Danyrallt and Cynghordy being one of the oldest Welsh families. The most influential sire in the history of the breed. Won 6 Championships and 10 first prizes. Died aged 35.In 1911 His son Ch Greylight was sold for £1,000 to Australia.

Stroller

Connemara half-bred. Despite only standing at 14.2hh, Stroller could outjump many horses. Stroller took rider, Marion Coakes from British Junior courses to International Senior tracks, and the pair won 61 international competitions. A big achievement for Stroller was winning the Hickstead Derby - it hasn't ever been won by another pony. He is the only pony ever to have competed in the Olympic Games, and helped Marion take the individual silver showjumping medal at the 1968 Mexico Olympics. Stroller died of a heart attack aged 36 in 1986, after 15 years of happy retirement.

Hideaway's Erin Go Bragh

Bay Connemara Stallion. Foaled 1983 at Hideaway Connemara Pony Stud. Sired by Hideaway's Erin Smithereen, out of Hideaway's Centerfold. Bred and owned by Mrs. Jacqueline Harris. Ridden by Carol B. Kozlowski. Go Bragh was known not only for his great athletic ability, which helped the little horse compete at the international level in the sport of eventing, but also for his great character, gentleness, and heart. Although smaller than 16 hands (1.63 m), he had great confidence, and would reportedly jump anything he was pointed at. Remarkably, Go Bragh began his competitive career not in eventing but in pleasure driving, where he was very successful. After jumping a 5-foot jumper course, the great show jumper Anne Kursinski told his rider that the tiny horse had talent. Go Bragh began his eventing career, and won four events in a row at the Preliminary level in 1991—including the MCTA Horse Trials with its notorious cross-country—before taking 1st at the Ledyard Three-Day in 1992. By this time, he was also a proficient second-level dressage horse. As an Intermediate horse, the stallion won Fair Hill, before moving up to the Advanced level in 1995. His performance that year won him the AHSA Advanced Horse of the Year award for Zone II, and the USCTA’s Connemara of the Year award, that same year. After his success, Go Braugh was entered in the Radnor Three Day Event the following year. He was at a distinct disadvantage: all horses competing at the international level had to carry a minimum of 165 lb (75 kg) on cross-country (this rule was abolished by the FEI the following year). This meant that Go Braugh would have to carry an additional 40 lb (18 kg) of lead, despite his small size. The extra weight caught up to him. While galloping cross-country, after travelling 14 miles (22.5 km) for phases A & C and jumping a steeplechase course, he stepped in a depression in the ground three fences from home, tearing a suspensory ligament. Although the injury was not career-ending, he needed a year off to recover. Go Braugh was retired at the age of 16, as the most winning stallion in eventing history in North America. He was officially retired at the Genesee Valley Hunt Race Meet, on October 9, 1999. The little stallion has sired nearly 200 foals, and his get have been extremely successful.

Murthwaite Look at Me

(Heltondale Bobby x Greenholme Jess) Supreme Fell Pony Stallion Champion at the 2002, 2003 & 2004 Stallion & Colt Show.

Scotch Label

Scotch Label 1980 Black Tobiano Shetland Stallion. Scotty is a Hall of Fame Halter Stallion, 1986 National Shetland Congress Grand Champion Shetland Stallion, Pinto of the Year, and Shetland Superior Sire. #1 in the nation in Get of Sire for 2003. One of the truly great sires of the breed. Scotty is a dynamic driving pony wih multiple stakes wins in Pleasure Driving. He has a great disposition too! 43 inches. He is now retired from public stud.

Bwlch Valentino

The progenitor of the most successful sire lines in the breeding of the British Riding Pony. The characteristic sweeping action of the modern Riding Pony can be traced to him and his sons and Bwlch Valentino will always be looked upon as the founder of a dynasty of eye-catchingly beautiful ponies. Born in 1950, Bwlch Valentino's name can be found many times over in BRP pony pedigrees as the sire of such successful ponies such as Bwlch Zephyr, Criban Heather, Cusop Araminta, Cusop Dignity, Cusop Sign Post, Polly Flinders, & Wingrove Minkino.

Coed Coch Berwynfa

(TAN-Y-BWLCH BERWYN* X BERWYN BEAUTY*) Born in 1946, Coed Coch Berwynfa was an extremely influential Welsh Sec. B Stallion.. His pedigree goes back to Dyoll Starlight.