Horses and Ponies - What's the Difference?

Nathaniel Hawthorne

What is the difference between a horse and a pony?

Many people assume that a pony is simply a baby horse, or even a little horse. This is absolutely not true. Ponies and horses, though related, are not exactly the same creatures.

Certainly, both ponies and horses are considered equines.

How can you tell a pony from a horse?

The main difference is this: a pony stands 14.2 hands high (58 in. or 147 cm.) or less at the withers, and a horse is 14.2 hands or taller.

Actually, there is more to it than that. Exceptions to the rule include larger ponies, such as the Pony of the America or the high-stepping Welsh Cob, who can exceed 14.2 hands in stature at maturity. In addition, certain horses may mature to shorter heights than their breed standards - but that does not make them ponies.

In fact, Falabellas, Caspians, and other miniature equine breeds are actually classified as horses, although they may be considerably smaller than most ponies. And Arabian horses may occasionally be shorter than 14.2 hands, but they are still horses.

Do ponies look different from horses?

Ponies tend to have thicker and coarser manes and tails and a heavier coat than most breeds of horses. Also, ponies usually have shorter, and sometimes stockier, legs, wider barrels, and thicker necks. Ponies' skeletal structures are often sturdier than many horse breeds, with heavier bones, although delicate pony breeds exist. Ponies may have smaller, broader heads than horses as well.

Because ponies are often short, but sturdy, they can make excellent pack animals, and they are often ideal for pulling small carts and carriages. Hackney ponies are often successful in driving classes at horse shows because of their athleticism and precision stepping.

Are ponies more suitable for children than horses?

Despite the assumptions of well-meaning parents and grandparents, a pony is not always the dream equine partner for a youngster, particularly a beginning rider. In fact, certain ponies actually may be more spirited, stubborn, and difficult to handle than horses. Thus, a pony may not be a safer choice for a child's mount than a small horse.

Ask any equestrian about ponies and horses.

Most of us will confess, if we are honest, that our most challenging mounts may have been ponies. Personally, I can vividly recall a wild ride on a fancy Welsh show pony, who flipped his head about, raised his tail to the sky and blasted off with me aboard on a jumping course in an outdoor riding arena. On that occasion, I had not been planning to jump at all! Apparently, the diminutive pony had other plans!

Still, many petting farms offer pony rides. Often, the saddled mounts are supremely gentle, seasoned Shetland ponies. These are a world apart from spirited show ponies!

Here are a couple of interesting sidenotes: Young Pony Club members often ride horses. And polo ponies are actually small horses!