Difference between revisions of "Tell a Horse from a Pony"

Horses and ponies are closely related animals but they are not exactly the same.<ref name="rf1">http://wonderopolis.org/wonder/how-are-ponies-and-horses-different</ref> Luckily, if you unsure whether you have a horse or a pony there are specific ways you can make a determination. You will need to assess the animal's size, breed, age, body proportions, and temperament to determine whether it is a horse or a pony.

#*A horse is usually fully grown once it is five to seven years old. However, it will grow very rapidly in its first year, reaching about 90% of its fully grown height in that year.<ref name="rf2">http://www.thehorse.com/articles/10228/growing-up-estimating-adult-size</ref>

#Determine the size of the animal. The biggest difference between a horse and a pony is the size. Equine animals are measured from their withers down to the ground. Horses and ponies are measured in hands. Each hand is the equivalent to {{convert|4|in|cm|1}}, which is the approximate size of a grown man's hand. The abbreviation for a hand is "hh." It stands for "hands high."<ref name="rf3">http://www.cowboyway.com/HowTo/HorseHeight.htm</ref> Technically, a horse has to be 14.2hh or higher when it's full grown to be considered a horse. Anything below that is a pony.<ref name="rf4">http://www.gaitedhorses.net/Conformation/BodyParts.htm</ref>

#Determine if a small equine is a miniature horse. Some small horse breeds are exceptions to the rule about horse size versus pony size. A good example are miniature horses. Miniature horses were originally bred as pets and, while very small, they are still categorized as horses. A miniature horse is no taller than 34 inches from the ground to the base of the last hairs of the mane.<ref name="rf5">http://www.amha.org/registration/how-to-measure</ref><ref name="rf6">http://www.amha.org/docs/default-source/default-document-library/horseforeveryone10EBDFCF0863.pdf?sfvrsn=0</ref> They come in either an Arabian build or a stockier quarter horse build.

#*In addition, they come in a wide variety of colors, such as appaloosas and pintos, just as non-miniature horses do.<ref name="rf7">http://www.unicornerfarm.com/mini_horses/breed_info.htm</ref>

#Assess the proportions of the animal's body. A pony's body tends to be stockier than a horse's body. Stockier proportions usually mean ponies have better endurance for work tasks.<ref name="rf8">http://wonderopolis.org/wonder/how-are-ponies-and-horses-different/</ref> Their bones are thicker, their necks are shorter and thicker, and they have thick heads with broad foreheads.<ref name="rf9">http://www.todayifoundout.com/index.php/2013/06/the-difference-between-a-pony-and-a-horse/</ref>

#Inspect the animal's coat and mane. Ponies usually have thicker coats than horses. Thicker coats make ponies more resistant to cold weather.<ref name="rf10">http://blackmtnranch.com/what-is-the-difference-between-a-horse-and-a-pony/</ref> In addition, a horse's mane is usually smooth and relatively thin, while a pony's mane and tail are usually thick and course.

#Determine the temperament of the animal. Spend some time with the animal, either walking it around or petting and brushing it. Ponies tend to be calmer than horses. They are also very smart, just as horses are. Perhaps this combination of calmness and intelligence is why they are so good with children.<ref name="rf9" />

#Determine the animal's strengths. Horses and ponies also differ in what they are good at doing. Ponies, because of their strength, hardiness, and tough build, are good at working on a farm. They can pull twice their weight, while a horse can usually only pull half of its weight.<ref name="rf11">http://www.offthegridnews.com/how-to-2/the-shetland-pony-ultimate-homestead-helper/</ref> Horses, on the other hand, can work on a farm but their strength lies more in carrying people. They are not as strong as a pony but they have good stamina and can be more skillful animals.