RIDING PONIES FOR CHILDREN.

Press, Volume LXIX, Issue 20907, 14 July 1933, Page 9

RIDING PONIES FOR CHILDREN.

TO THIS EDITOB OT TUB FRJS3S. Sir, —It is an undoubted fact that more care, patience, and perseverance must be exercised with a pony for the child than any other class of horse. The children are the sportsmen and sportswomen of the future, who in time will follow hounds. As James Pigg observed (Jorrocks Huntsman), most important, the pony must be quiet and well mannered in every way. Most of us agree with Jorrocks that a fall is an awful thing. Much more serious is the shock to the nervous system of a child. Very often the youngster receives a shock that lasts through life, and an aversion to horses commences when horse love should be fostered. A well-mannered, quiet pony is hard to find. This should not be, if the ponies' education was not hurried.

An important point is that the pony should be a good mover, possessing a fast, even walk, and a smooth trot, with not too much knee action, which of course is essential for harness. The pony should have a good sloping shoulder, with the point of the shoulder well forward. The above conformation will go a long way towards giving a comfortable and safe ride. How often do we see children in the show ring riding ponies that are too broad for them, and so afford neither knee nor thigh grip. It is very pleasing to know that the Cob and Pony Association is on the right lines, in that it is encouraging the breeding of a child's riding pony.—Yours, etc., D. W. WESTENRA. Dunsandel, July 12, 1933.