Description

After the appearance of cartoon "My LittlePony" interest to the ponies has increased considerably, bothadults and children want to know more about these beautiful rareanimals.

A pony is a small horse. Depending on context, a pony may be ahorse that is under an approximate or exact height at the withers,or a small horse with a specific conformation and temperament.There are many different breeds. Compared to other horses, poniesoften exhibit thicker manes, tails and overall coat, as well asproportionally shorter legs, wider barrels, heavier bone, thickernecks, and shorter heads with broader foreheads. The word "pony"derives from the old French poulenet, meaning foal, a young,immature horse, but this is not the modern meaning; unlike a horsefoal, a pony remains small when fully grown. However, on occasion,people who are unfamiliar with horses may confuse an adult ponywith a foal.
The ancestors of most modern ponies developed small stature due toliving on the margins of livable horse habitat. These smalleranimals were domesticated and bred for various purposes all overthe northern hemisphere. Ponies were historically used for drivingand freight transport, as children's mounts, for recreationalriding, and later as competitors and performers in their own right.During the Industrial Revolution, particularly in Great Britain, asignificant number were used as pit ponies, hauling loads of coalin the mines.
Ponies are generally considered intelligent and friendly, thoughsometimes they also are described as stubborn or cunning. Properlytrained ponies are appropriate mounts for children who are learningto ride. Larger ponies can be ridden by adults, as ponies areusually strong for their size. In modern use, many organizationsdefine a pony as a mature horse that measures less than 14.2 hands(58 inches, 147 cm) at the withers, but there are a number ofexceptions. Different organizations that use a strict measurementmodel vary from 14 hands (56 inches, 142 cm) to nearly 14.3 hands(59 inches, 150 cm). Many breeds classify an animal as either horseor pony based on pedigree and phenotype, no matter its height. Somefull-sized horses may be called "ponies" for various reasons oftradition or as a term of endearment.

Pony breeds have developed all over the world, particularly incold and harsh climates where hardy, sturdy working animals wereneeded. They are remarkably strong for their size. Breeds such asthe Connemara pony, are recognized for their ability to carry afull-sized adult rider. Pound for pound ponies can pull and carrymore weight than a horse. Draft-type ponies are able to pull loadssignificantly greater than their own weight, with larger poniescapable of pulling loads comparable to those pulled by full-sizeddraft horses, and even very small ponies able to pull as much as450 percent of their own weight.
Nearly all pony breeds are very hardy, easy keepers that share theability to thrive on a more limited diet than that of aregular-sized horse, requiring half the hay for their weight as ahorse, and often not needing grain at all. However, for the samereason, they are also more vulnerable to laminitis and Cushing'ssyndrome. They may also have problems with hyperlipemia.
Ponies are generally considered intelligent and friendly, thoughsometimes they also are described as stubborn or cunning. Thedifferences of opinion often result from an individual pony'sdegree of proper training. Ponies trained by inexperiencedindividuals, or only ridden by beginners, can turn out to bespoiled because their riders typically lack the experience base tocorrect bad habits. Properly trained ponies are appropriate mountsfor children who are learning to ride. Larger ponies can be riddenby adults, as ponies are usually strong for their size.