Ponies past and present

In Short

This work is a detailed historical and practical survey of native British and Irish pony breeds, including the New Forest, Welsh, Exmoor, Dartmoor, Fell, and Shetland varieties. It documents how these animals evolved in isolation and often in defiance of human interference. By analyzing their physical characteristics, endurance, and potential for modern utility—specifically for the then-burgeoning sport of polo—the book argues for the economic and practical preservation of these breeds. It remains a testament to the author’s lifelong commitment to documenting the history and welfare of British horse breeds.

The Story

The narrative begins by placing the pony in the context of English history, noting that early legislative efforts to improve horses for military or sporting purposes often served only to marginalize the native pony to remote, inaccessible districts. The author observes that these animals survived not through human protection, but through an inherent hardiness that allowed them to thrive on poor land where larger, more "improved" horses would perish.

The book progresses through a regional study of the British Isles. Each chapter provides a snapshot of a specific breed’s habitat and management. We see, for instance, the New Forest ponies living in semi-wild droves, shaped by "in-and-in" breeding that keeps the strain pure but small. The author contrasts these with the Welsh ponies, whose history is recorded in ancient, complex laws that governed everything from the valuation of a horse’s tail to the specific warranty required for a sale.

As the survey moves through the Exmoor, Dartmoor, and the rugged fells of Cumberland and Westmoreland, the narrative emphasizes a recurring tension: the conflict between the "wild" state of these animals and the desire of agricultural improvers to introduce "alien blood." The author showcases individual successes—such as the work of Mr. Christopher W. Wilson with Fell ponies—to demonstrate that when intelligence and care are applied, these native animals can be transformed into high-quality, profitable stock.

The journey concludes with the Shetland "Sheltie" and the Irish Connemara, highlighting the incredible endurance of ponies in harsh climates and their unique suitability for tasks ranging from colliery work to children’s mounts. The final arc of the book shifts from historical survey to practical application. The author focuses on the rise of polo, arguing that the modern obsession with large, fast, thoroughbred-style horses has created a crisis of utility. He proposes a solution: returning to the smaller, more constitutionally sound Arab or native pony as a foundation for breeding the ideal polo mount. The book ends by synthesizing these findings into a practical guide for breeders, urging them to prioritize stamina and soundness over the fleeting dictates of fashion, ultimately advocating for a future where these ancient, hardy lines are valued once more for their resilience and versatility.

How It Unfolds

The historical defiance The book opens by clarifying that ponies have historically been the victims of misguided legislation aimed at limiting their numbers. By being pushed to the moors and fells, these breeds maintained a purity of constitution that was lost in the more central, "improved" parts of England.

The regional survey The author travels through the British countryside, dedicating chapters to the specific adaptations of each regional pony. He details how geography and climate, rather than human selection, dictated the size and character of these animals for centuries.

The struggle for improvement The narrative documents the often-failed attempts by local societies and well-meaning individuals to "improve" these breeds by introducing outside stallions. It highlights the recurring theme that unless the environment is managed and the right sires are chosen with care, these efforts frequently result in the degradation of the native type.

The practical argument Turning toward the end of the century, the book pivots to the commercial and sporting necessity of the pony. It analyzes the specific demands of the polo field and the harsh reality of the coal mines, contrasting these with the pony's demonstrated capacity for extreme endurance in military campaigns.

The breeding synthesis The final beats of the book offer a technical synthesis for the modern breeder. The author argues that the path forward lies in going backward—using the Arab as a foundation sire and the hardy forest mare as a dam to produce a sound, compact horse for the new century.

The People

The "people" in this book are not characters in a traditional sense, but the dedicated breeders and observers who shaped the destiny of these animals.

Mr. Moens represents the thoughtful interventionist. By using the offspring of an Arab stallion, he shows the author that the New Forest ponies can be improved without losing their essential hardiness. He stands as a symbol of the successful bridge between the wild state and the domestic need.

Mr. Christopher W. Wilson acts as the pioneer of the Fell breed. He rejects the stagnation of his peers and demonstrates that by carefully selecting native mares and pairing them with proven sires, one can build a breed that is both beautiful and functional. His work is the primary evidence that "raw material" from the hills can be elevated.

Mr. John Knight illustrates the ambitious, if sometimes misguided, improver. His efforts to introduce Dongola Arab blood to Exmoor ponies show the complexities of breeding; while he achieved physical changes, he also struggled to maintain the specific "mealy muzzle" and character of the original strain, reminding the reader of the risks of losing local identity.

The "Fell-siders" represent the traditionalist. They remain wedded to ancestral customs and often ignore the potential for improvement. They serve as the foil to the author’s progressive arguments, highlighting the difficulty of enacting change in regions where the "old ways" of letting animals run wild are deeply ingrained.

In Its Own Voice

The author underscores the resilience of the pony, which often thrived in spite of, rather than because of, human intervention.

It is worth glancing at these items of horse legislation to discover that the half-wild ponies have survived, not by grace of man’s aid or protection, but in defiance of his endeavours to stamp them out.

He highlights the unique and often exceptional endurance of these animals when pitted against the extreme conditions of war.

In the Nile Campaign of 1885 the 19th Hussars were mounted on Syrian Arabs, averaging 14 hands, which had been purchased in Syria and Lower Egypt at an average price of £18.

He offers a pragmatic assessment of what the modern breeder must consider if they wish to produce a successful polo pony.

For generations we have devoted all our care to increasing the height of the racehorse, and with such success that in 200 years we have raised his average stature by nearly 2 hands.

What It's Really About

The book is a sustained argument for the importance of native genetics in a world increasingly obsessed with the "improved" and the large. The primary theme is the conflict between human fashion—which demands taller, faster horses for sports like polo—and the inherent, biological realities of the animal. It poses the question of whether we have sacrificed the "soundness of constitution" for size. Ultimately, the work is a plea for conservation, suggesting that the "half-wild" races of Britain are a national asset. If we ignore their history and their specific biological requirements, we risk losing a source of strength, intelligence, and endurance that no amount of artificial "improving" can ever truly replicate.

Why Read It Today

Readers with an interest in equestrian history, agriculture, or the heritage breeds of the British Isles will find this book an essential, if period-specific, resource. It captures the transition of the horse from a beast of agricultural burden to an object of sporting luxury at the turn of the 20th century.

The prose is precise, formal, and deeply rooted in the Victorian belief in improvement through scientific observation. A modern reader must be prepared for the author’s occasionally stark, utilitarian view of animals; he discusses them in terms of their economic yield and their value at auction, which reflects the attitudes of a time when the horse was still the primary engine of industry and travel.

The book is rewarding for those who enjoy "deep dives" into specific regions and histories. There is a palpable warmth in the author's descriptions of the ponies, particularly when he defends their intelligence and temperament. You will walk away with a profound respect for the "Sheltie" and the "Fell" not as pets, but as iron-willed survivors. While the technical advice on polo breeding is now a historical curiosity, the core lesson—that nature often knows best when it comes to the hardiness of a breed—remains as relevant and resonant as it was in 1900.