BUILD

Another fashion that has changed over the years, is height. Just about every newspaper add lists something as '' 16.2 hands." This always gives me a chuckle, as by itself, unless you are in the market for a jumper, how tall a horse stands, is useless information.

Measuring four fingers ( a hand ) at a time up to the withers ( top of shoulder ) is a simple way for someone to pretend they can "talk horse." What is more difficult to judge is weight. Together, they can give you an idea of a horses build, or conformation.

Far more meaningful is to talk "human." Just as two legged athletes excel at sports they are built for, a long and lean horse can cover more ground in a stride, a compact fellow can turn faster, and the barrel-cheated brute can lift more weight. Unfortunately, horses don't play basketball.

About the only attribute that doesn't translate from horse to human is "bottom", meaning that the animal has great endurance. When it comes to horse power, height doesn't count. Many "runts" that are passed over today would have been prized cow ponies back in the days of the Texas cattle drives. The old saying here was that, " The length of a horse's shadow isn't measured by how tall he stands, but how fast he can run.''

What I suggest, is to pick a mount for the type of riding you intend to do, rather than the picture you present mounted up.

While on pretty pictures, as petite little Penolope riding a pretty pony, let me make a few more enemies Namely, the American Shetland Pony Club, and followers I do not consider ponies " miniature " horses . They must be related to mules and jackasses. They are mean, stubborn, nasty hard
to train, harder to shoe. If your daughter has her heart set on a pony, then select the older style shetland with a big barrel. The slender American Shetland is a high-bred, highstrung, show ring product

This is a contradiction after trying to talk down the importnce of riding a high horse, but for a small child, often the safest ride of all is a big old plug of a plow horse. Time and gain as a horseshoer, I have seen little tykes toddle around and under ( ! ) boogery beasts that would have kicked the stuffings out of an adult trying the same. Don't sue me if I am wrong, but it seems to me that the bigger the horse, the more respect he has for children.