The British Riding Pony should possess a good, honest, attractive head with a bold, intelligent eye, well set on head and neck from the shoulder, with a good prominent riding wither. It should have a flat, sloping shoulder with good length of rein, deep heart room and well sprung ribs. There should be sufficient depth through the loin with enough scope to carry a saddle. The quarters should have sufficient length with a well set on tail, with the hind leg correctly put on from the loin, giving a strong second thigh and a good strong, clean hock.
The limbs should have
sufficient quality bone to carry the body, with good broad knees, short flat
canon bone and the fetlock joints should be large enough to stand hard work.
Also, there should be a good open shape to the foot, the pasterns being the
correct length and angled at roughly 45 degrees to the ground. A show pony
should have elegance combined with movement, with pony type, quality bone
and sufficient substance. The action should be true, straight and floating,
covering the ground with effortless ease.
The Connemara "Stands on short legs, covering a lot of ground". The cannon bone is short, dense, flat and clean, measuring 7 to 9 inches below the knee. The body is deep and compact, well-balanced with depth, substance and good heart room. The Connemara has a good sloping shoulder, length of rein, and moves freely with little knee action in surprisingly large strides for its height. On this strong, sturdy body sets a handsome pony head, with a well-defined jaw and good width between large kindly eyes. Easy keepers, they do not require a rich diet to stay healthy and fit.
The most common colors are grey and dun, but there are blacks, bays, browns, chestnuts, palominos, and an occasional roan. Black points are common, but paints are not acceptable.
The Connemara is the largest of the pony breeds, ranging in height from13 to 15 hands, with 14 to 14.2 hands as the average. Full maturity is at five years of age, sometimes older, and they can live well into their 30's.
The Connemara has a natural jumping ability, and its rectangular build lends it suitable for dressage. They often beat horses 16 hands and over with staying power, intelligence and heart. As a show jumper, working hunter, eventing, western pleasure, endurance, driving - Connemaras can do it all, and can be your best friend!
Connemaras are the
product of their original environment, the rugged mountain coast of West Ireland.
Sure-footed, hardy and agile, they possess powers of great stamina, staying
power and adaptability. They are renowned for their versatility and their
gentle, tractable, sensible and willing dispositions.
The Caspian is a horse, not a pony,
and therefore should be viewed in the same manner as when judging a Thoroughbred,
i.e. the limbs, body and head should all be in proportion to each other …
The overall impression should be of a well-bred, elegant horse in miniature.
Eyes: Almond shaped, large, dark…
Nostrils: Large… finely chiselled, capable of considerable dilation
during action.
Ears: Short…finely drawn, often noticeably in-pricked at the tips.
Head: Wide, vaulted forehead … Frontal bone should blend into nasal
bone in a pleasing slope. Very deep, prominent cheekbones... Head tapers to
a fine, firm muzzle.
Neck: Long, supple…with a finely modelled throatlatch.
Shoulders and withers: Long, sloping, well modelled with good withers.
Body: Characteristically slim with deep girth… close-coupled, with well-defined
hindquarters and good 'saddle space'.
Quarters: Long and sloping from hip to point of buttock. Great length from
stifle to hock.
Hocks: Owing to their mountain origin, Caspians may have more angled hocks
than lowland breeds.
Limbs: Characteristically slender…dense, flat bone…pasterns neither
upright nor oversloping.
Hoofs: Both front and back are oval and neat with immensely strong wall and
sole and very little frog.
Coat, Skin and Hair: Skin fine, supple and dark except under white markings.
Coat silky and flat, often with iridescent sheen in summer. Thick winter coat.
Mane and tail abundant but fine and silky…Mane usually lies flat (as
in Thoroughbreds). Tail carried gaily in action… Little or no feathering
at the fetlock.
Colours: All except piebald or skewbald (pinto). Greys can fade through roans
to near white at maturity.
Height: Varies with feeding, care and climate. Recorded range is between 10
to nearly 13 hands. Rapid growth rate in the young…making most height
in the first 18 months and filling out with maturity. Average height is 11.2
hands.
Action/Performance: Natural floating action at all gaits - long low, swinging
trot with spectacular use of the shoulder. Smooth rocking canter, rapid flat
gallop. Naturally light and agile with exceptional jumping ability.
Temperament: Highly intelligent and alert, but very kind and willing.
COLOR: Most Chincoteague
ponies have pinto/paint spotting:
Overo – solid color with white splashes.
Tobiano – white base with colored irregular patches of solid or roan
color.
Spotting colors include skewbald and piebald (black and white only), palomino
to dark bay on white, dark red on white (tobiano) with black points, and strawberry
roan on white (tobiano). Other color variations include solid black, solid
sorrel with flaxen mane and tail, and solid chestnut with flaxen mane and
tail. Now on the Assateague Island, the ponies come in all colors.
CONFORMATION
The Chincoteague Pony is a well-proportioned horse with a strong and muscular
compact body. They typically stand fourteen hands or less and weight between
800 and 900 pounds. The body tends to have a unique style and balanced conformation
that includes a well-rounded rump. The hair of a Chincoteague Pony is strong
and thick. An extra thick mane and tail can grow to great lengths, if allowed,
and may grow long on the forehead. The forehead has one or two cow-licks.
Fetlocks have light feathering, adding to the unique appearance of this pony.
During the winter months the ponies grow a heavy coat of hair, causing them
to become shaggy in appearance. This helps them to stay warm on the island
and makes the Chincoteague Pony a good horse for those who live in cold climate
areas. A Chincoteague Pony’s tail sits low on the rump and can be so
long as to touch the ground. The tail may flag when the pony runs. With strong
hooves these ponies make for excellent long distance runners. They can gallop
very fast for their size.
DISPOSITION
The disposition of a Chincoteague Pony is well-known to be good-natured, kind,
sweet, and gentle. With a love of people, they are highly intelligent, versatile,
and well-suited for children. The personality of a Chincoteague Pony has been
described as that of a “puppy dog” to it’s owner. The pony
is brave, loves to play and learn new things.
GENERAL: A strong, active pony,
full of quality and spirit.
HEAD: Neat and pony-like. Broad between the eyes, which should be bright and
alert. Pony ears slightly incurving. Long foretop of straight hair down the
face.
NECK: Strong and of ample length. Stallions should display a bold outlook with a well-arched crest. Throat and jaws clean-cut. Long flowing mane.
SHOULDERS: Well-laid, long sloping shoulders with well-developed muscles. Withers not too fine.
BODY: Short-coupled and deep through the chest, with well-sprung ribs.
HINDQUARTERS: Hindquarters deep, lengthy and powerful. Second thighs well-developed and very muscular. Tail well set on, not high, with plenty of long, straight hair reaching the ground.
HOCKS: Broad, flat and clean. Well let down with plenty of dense flat bone below.
FOREARMS: Set square. Short and very muscular, with broad, well-developed heels.
FEET, LEGS JOINTS: The very best of feet and legs, with joints, showing quality with no coarseness. The cannons should display 8" - 9½" of flat flinty bone and well defined tendons. Pasterns should be nicely sloping and of good length. Ample silky feather on the heels. Large, round feet, open at the heels, with well developed frogs.
HEIGHT: Up to 14.2 h.h. Overheight ponies will be downgraded in the grading-up register.
COLOURS: Black, brown, a few grey and bay, and occasionally roan.
MARKINGS: A white star and/or snip on the head. White fetlocks to the hindlegs only. Mismarked ponies will be down-graded in the grading-up register.
ACTION: Clean, high, straight and true. Going forward on "all fours" with tremendous energy. The knee and hock are lifted, the hindlegs flexed well under the body for powerful drive.
CHARACTER: True pony character.
Alert, high-couraged, intelligent and kind.
Height: Not exceeding 12.2 hands
(127cm) (50")
Color: Bay, black, brown, chestnut, gray, and roan. Piebald and skewbald are
not allowed. Excessive white markings are discouraged. (Colors in Italics
are the more dominant colors)
Head and Neck: The head should be small with large kindly eyes and small alert
ears. It should be well set on a good neck of medium length. The throat and
jaws should be fine and showing no signs of coarseness or throatiness. Stallions
have a moderate crest.
Shoulders: Good shoulders are most important. They should be well laid back
and sloping but not too fine at the withers.
Body: Of medium length and strong, well-ribbed up and with a good depth of
girth giving plenty of heart room.
Loin and Hindquarters: Strong and well covered with muscle. The hindquarters
should be of medium length and neither level nor steeply sloping. The tail
should be well set up.
Limbs: The hocks should be well let down with plenty of length from hip to
hock, clean cut and with plenty of bone below the hock. They should have a
strong second thigh. They should not be 'sickled' or 'cow-hocked'.
The fore legs should not be tied in at the elbows. The forearm should be muscular
and relatively long and the knee fairly large and flat on the front. The cannons
should be short with ample good, flat, flinty bone. The pasterns should be
sloping but not too long. The feet should be hard and well shaped.
Movement: Low and straight coming from the shoulder with good hock action
but without exaggeration.
General: the mane and tail should be full and natural. The Dartmoor is a very
good-looking riding pony, sturdily built yet with quality.
Height: Mares not exceeding 12.2
h.h.; Stallions and Geldings not exceeding 12.3 h.h.
Colours: Bay brown or dun with black points, mealy markings on muzzle round
eyes and inside flanks. No white markings anywhere.
Brief Points: Wide forehead, short thick ears. Toad eye. Legs clean and short,
with strong cannon bone and hard well shaped feet.
HEIGHT: Not exceeding 14 hands (142.2 cms).
COLOUR: Black, Brown, Bay and Grey, preferably with no white markings, though a star or a little white on the foot is allowed.
HEAD: Small, well chiselled in outline, well set on, forehead broad, tapering to nose.
NOSTRILS: Large and expanding.
EYES: Prominent, bright, mild and intelligent.
EARS: Neatly set, well formed and small.
THROAT AND JAWS: Fine, showing no signs of throatiness nor coarseness.
NECK: Of proportionate length, giving good length of rein, strong and not too heavy, moderate crest in case of stallion.
SHOULDERS: Most important, well laid back, and sloping, not too fine at withers, nor loaded at the points a good long shoulder blade, muscles well developed.
CARCASE: Good strong back of good outline, muscular loins, deep carcase, thick through heart, round ribbed from shoulders to flank, short and well coupled, hind quarters square and strong with tail well set on.
FEET, LEGS AND JOINTS: Feet of good size, round and well formed, open at heels with the characteristic blue horn, fair sloping pasterns not too long, fore-legs should be straight, well placed not tied at elbows, big well formed knees, short cannon bone, plenty of good flat bone below knee eight inches at least, great muscularity of arm.
HIND LEGS: Good thighs and second thighs, very muscular, hocks well let down and clean cut, plenty of bone below joint, hocks should not be sickle nor cow-hocked.
MANE, TAIL AND FEATHER: Plenty of fine hair at heels (coarse hair objectionable) all the fine hair except that at point of heel may be cast in summer. Mane and tail are left to grow long.
ACTION: Walk, smart and true. Trot well balanced all round, with good knee and hock action, going we from the shoulder and flexing the hocks, not going too wide nor near behind. Should show great pace an endurance, bringing the hind legs well under the body when going.
GENERAL CHARACTER: The Fell Pony should be consitutionally as hard as iron and show good pony characteristics with the unmistakable appearance of hardiness peculiar to mountain ponies, and, at the same time, have a lively and alert appearance and great bone.
The breed standard for the German Riding Pony is for a pony preferably between 138 cm and 148 cm or approximately 13.2 hands to 14.2 hands. The athletic and refined qualities of a riding horse which exhibits the pony type is essential. The type includes a small head, large and lively eyes with little ears, a clean throatlatch, a long, well-set neck, pronounced withers and long croup. Movement should be correct, rhythmic, spacious and elastic with distinct impulsion from the hindquarters. The pony's disposition should be unpretentious and benign, with a willingness to perform, showing courage and evenness of temperament.
Head Expressive, lean and noble
with slight dish. Eyes large, dark and lively. Fine nostrils and ears in proportion
to the head.
Neck Connection from the head not too thick. Reasonably long, light and well
positioned. Strong sloping shoulders and good withers. Not too deeply set
on the body.
Body Broad, deep chest. Well tensed, not straight, back. Broad loins. Good
joints. Well carried tail. Girth between 65"-73".
Limbs Clean and well positioned with hard healthy hooves. Strong fore-arms
and a good second thigh. Short cannons. Bone: Mares 6½"-7¾",
Stallions 7¼"-8½".
Paces Long free and elastic stride.
Height Mares 14hh (average), Stallions 14.2hh (average).
Colouring
Chestnut, light , middle , liver
or red.
Dappling is acceptable, as are paler legs and under-body.
White hairs within the coat and socks are not favoured.
Mane and Tail should be white or flaxen
Temperament and Versatility
The Haflinger is friendly, uncomplicated and willing - the ideal 'Family Pony'...
Haflingers have a loving temperament
and a willingness to please. They need and enjoy plenty of exercise and are
"good-doers", not needing large fields of lush grass or hard feeds
(unless in strenuous work). Like all horses, their fields must have strong
boundaries and plenty of fresh water. Despite being a hardy breed, Haflingers
need shelter from the cold and wet.
New Forest Ponies are for Work, for Play, for Dressage, for Show Jumping, for Cross Country, for Riding Club, for Driving, for Children, for Adults, for Riding and Driving for the Disabled, for Showing, for Family Pony, for Working Hunter, for Gymkhana, for Hacking, for Polo, for Eventing, for Hunter Trialling, for Western Riding, for Endurance, for Hunting, for Pony Club, for the Experienced, for Beginners, for just about everything a good pony can do
Brummerhoeves Boss (Dutch Bred New Forest) They should be of riding type with
substance. They should have sloping shoulders, strong quarters, plenty of
bone, good depth of body, straight limbs and good hard round feet. The larger
ponies, while narrow enough for small children, are quite capable of carrying
adults. The smaller ponies, though not up to so much weight, often show more
quality.
Their movement should be free, active and straight, but not exaggerated.
They should have an ideal temperament
and be very easy to train.
The upper height limit is 148 cms (just over 14.2 hands). There is no lower
limit but the very small ponies under 12 hands are becoming rarer. Showing
classes may be divided at 13.2 hands and under and over 13.2 hands.
The Welsh Pony, Cob & Part Bred
The Stud Book contains four sections:
The Welsh Mountain Pony (Section A)
The Welsh Pony (Section B)
The Welsh Pony of Cob Type (Section C)
The Welsh Cob (Section D)
THE WELSH MOUNTAIN PONY
(Section A&B)
http://www.wpcs.uk.com/
Height: Not exceeding 12 h.h. (121.9 cm) The Welsh Mountain Pony needs little introduction. Bred in the mountains and wild regions of Wales for many generations, their acknowledged beauty does not mean they are merely a "pretty toy" - centuries of "survival of the fittest" has ensured the sound constitution, iron hard limbs and great intelligence which, combined with the legendary Welsh temperament, makes the ideal child's pony of today. They can be seen ridden and driven all over the World - equally at home in the cold of Canada and Sweden or in the heat of Africa and Australia.
The head of the Mountain Pony should be small, with neat pointed ears, big bold eyes and a wide forehead. The jaw should be clean cut, tapering to a small muzzle; the silhouette may be concave or "dished" but never convex or too straight. The neck should be of a good length and well carried with shoulders sloping back to a clearly defined wither. The limbs must be set square with good flat bone and round dense hooves. The tail set high and gaily carried.
Action must be straight both in
front and behind, quick and free with hocks well flexed.
THE WELSH PONY OF COB TYPE (Section C)
Height: Not exceeding 13.2 h.h.
(137.2 cm)
The Welsh Pony of Cob Type is the stronger counterpart of the Welsh Pony, but with Cob blood.
Their true worth as a dual purpose animal has been fully realised in recent years, and their numbers have increased accordingly.
Active, surefooted and hardy they are ideal for so many purposes both for adults and children.
Like all the Welsh Breeds they are natural jumpers and they also excel in harness- there are in fact few things that they cannot be used for.
THE WELSH COB (Section D)
Height: No upper height limit
Aptly described as "the best ride and drive animal in the World", the Welsh Cob has been evolved throughout many centuries for his courage, tractability and powers of endurance.
The general character is the embodiment of strength, hardiness and agility. The head shows great quality with Pony character. Bold prominent eyes, a broad forehead and neat, well set ears. The body must bee deep, on strong limbs with good "hard wearing" joints and an abundance of flat bone. Action must be straight, fee and forceful, the knees should be bent and then the whole foreleg extended from the shoulders and as far forward as possible in all paces, with the hocks well flexed, producing powerful leverage.
The Welsh Cob is a good hunter and a most competent performer in all competitive sports, in recent years they have had great success in the International driving world. Their abilities in all spheres are now fully recognised throughout the world.
The International Quarter Pony
The International Quarter Pony is a small scale replica of a quarter horse.
Unlike the quarter horse, the International 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 International
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 IQPA approved events.
Physical Description
HEAD: The head of a Quarter Pony reflects alert intelligence. This is due to his short, broad head, topped by small ears, and by his wide set, kind eyes and large, sensitive nostrils over a firm mouth. Well developed jaws give the impression of great strength.
NECK: The head of a Quarter Pony joins the neck at a near forty-five degree angle, with a distance between jaw-bone and neck muscle. The medium length, slightly arched neck then blends into sloping shoulders.
SHOULDERS: The Quarter Pony's unusually good saddle back is created by his medium-high but sharp withers extending well back and combining with his deep sloping shoulders so that the saddle is held in proper position for balanced action.
CHEST AND FORELEGS: The Quarter Pony is deep and broad chested, as indicated by his great heart girth and his wide-set heavy forelegs which blend into his shoulders. The smooth joints and very short cannons are set on clean fetlocks and the medium length pasterns are supported by sound feet. The powerfully muscled forearm tapers to the knee whether viewed from the front or side.
BACK: The short saddle back of the Quarter Pony is characterized by being close coupled and especially full and powerful across the kidney. The barrel is formed by deep, well sprung ribs back to the hip joints, and the under line comes back straight to the flank.
REAR QUARTERS: The rear quarters are broad, deep, and heavy, viewed from either side or rear, and are muscled so they are full through the thigh, stifle, gaskin, and down to the hock. The hind leg is muscled inside and out, the whole indicating the great driving power the Quarter Pony possesses. When viewed from the rear, there is great width extending evenly from top of thigh to bottom of the stifle and gaskin. The hocks are wide, deep, straight, and clean.
BONE, LEGS, FEET: The flat, clean bones are free from fleshiness and puffs that still show a world of substance. The foot is well rounded and roomy, with an especially deep, open heel.
STANCE: The Quarter Pony normally stands perfectly at ease with his legs well under him; this explains his ability to move quickly in any direction.
ACTION: The Quarter Pony is very collected in his action and turns or stops with noticeable ease and balance, with his hocks always well under him.
Properly schooled, the standard size Shetland pony(42 inches)has no equal as a safe schoolmaster for children to ride. The Shetland pony's versatility and hardiness are legend, who has not seen them at Shows being driven in harness, as leading rein ponies, or 'first ridden' and of course the Shetland Grand National Finals at Olympia. One of the Shetland pony's main claims to fame is that it is the smallest pure breed in the world. Shetland pony genes heavily influence any other 'breed', that may lay claim to this. Buying a good quality Shetland pony to show, or to breed from, as with any equine, requires a certain amount of research if you are not to be disappointed with your purchase.
