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While it's true that size is the major difference between horses and ponies, the only true difference is breed. Ponies are not stockier, wider, thicker or broader, nor are they more stubborn or spirited than horses. These are all common misconceptions.

The general rule of thumb is that horses are over 14.2 hands (58") tall, while ponies are 14.2 hands or under. It is true that a horse of any breed that meets this height requirement can be shown in open shows as a pony. This does not automatically make that horse a pony, unless the horse is eligible for a pony breed registry. There are several pony associations that offer registration papers based on size alone, and many purebred horses have been registered as ponies in this manner.

The Welsh Pony breed is probably the most well known of the pony breeds, and come in a wide variety of types and sizes. They range from Section A Mountain ponies who start around 11 hands (44") tall, up to the Section D Cobs who often pass 15.2 hands (62") tall. Regardless of size, a purebred Welsh Pony is always considered a pony. Welsh Ponies are beautiful, well mannered, and highly refined equine specimens. To the untrained eye, a Section B Welsh Pony might look like a small Arabian or Thoroughbred, with long flowing manes of baby fine hair and adorably sculpted "teacup" heads.

The Arabian is a horse breed and is always considered a horse regardless of size. Yet as a desert breed, many rarely mature past the 14 hand range (56"-59") and they are often chosen as children's mounts due to their diminutive size and "babysitter" temperaments. Quarter Horses are another horse breed that can vary greatly in size and type, and again those with the right personalities are often used for children due to their smaller size.

However, the old adage that "a horse should never be smarter than its owner" applies to both horses and ponies of all breeds. They can all be too smart for their own good, and can often frustrate a beginner owner who doesn't have the experience or knowledge to deal with an intelligent equine partner. From this type of misunderstanding came the old wives tales that ponies, and even horses, can be stubborn, spirited, and difficult to handle. All habits and lessons, bad or good, that your horse or pony has learned were taught to them by a person, whether that person knew it or not at the time. So always remember, there are no bad horses or ponies, there are only bad trainers and owners, and while most horses and ponies are happy to learn good habits, it is much harder to retrain the person who taught them the bad habits to begin with.

Learn more about this author, Liberty Wallace.
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