Damage To Ponies

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31780, 10 September 1968, Page 1

Damage To Ponies

The practice of riding ponies when they are too young, thus permanently damaging their hacks, has been criticised by the president of the Pony Breeders’ Society of New Zealand, Mr N. C. Mahon, of Amberley, in a statement made yesterday. Yearling ponies had lately been advertised for sale, “broken to saddle.” Those persons concerned were either ignorant or heartless, or both, said Mr Mahon. He had seen a two-year-old pony—ridden as a yearling—with a 180-degree curve in its backbone and sunk 6in to Bin below normal level.

“The permanent damage done to these youngsters through being ridden prematurely cannot be gauged. If people could see X-rays of ponies* and horses' bones treated In this way, they would be shocked,” said Mr Mahon. If the Pony Club and similar bodies made a determined and concentrated effort, something could—and should—be done, said Mr Mahon. Advice was freely available, and was given by established breeders. “Pony breeding is just beginning to make its mark in this country—generally a favourable one; let us keep it that way,” said Mr Mahon.