Most of us wanted a pony when we were young. Little did we realize back then that ponies are not baby horses. Those of us in the horse world know this now, but it’s a common misconception among just about everyone else. It may sound surprising to a confused population, but ponies stay small their whole lives and there are distinct differences.
Difference by size
The easiest way to tell the difference between a pony and a horse is by size. If you’re an English rider, ponies are under 14.2 hands and often stockier than horses; if western rider they’re under 14 hands high. Ponies also tend to have thicker coats, manes and tails than their larger counterparts. The stature of a pony is different, too – they’re proportioned a bit differently with short legs, wide barrels and a thick neck.
Differences by personality and characteristics
Ponies are remarkable strong for their size. Because of their stocky size, they’re known for pulling and carrying large loads; their hooves are more durable, too. Their thick coats and ability to shed makes them more able to handle wild temperature ranges. Pony temperaments find them to be more docile, stoic and smart than regular-sized horses.
Life span
While most horses live anywhere from 20-30 years old, ponies can live significantly longer. That makes them useful at an older age, still able to ride and drive far beyond their larger equals. Some age into their 40s, possibly up to 50. In fact, some of the record holders for oldest equines are ponies.
Pony breeds
There are dozens of pony breeds, and some of the more popular include the Shetland and Hackney breeds. Some horse breeds are not defined as ponies even when they measure under 14.2 hands. Breeds considered horses regardless of height are the Arabian horse, American Quarter Horse and Morgan horse. Others might be pony-sized but are classified as horses by their registries – such as Icelandic and Fjord horses – which causes some debate. The U.S. Pony Club sees things differently, they define pony as any mount ridden by a member regardless of breed or size. As such, some members’ “ponies” are full-sized.
Diet
Pony breeds generally handle a more limited diet then regular-sized horses, only needing about half the hay and almost no grain at all. That makes it very easy to overfeed a pony, so care needs to be taken to watch diets more closely.
