what is pony

A pony is a type of small horse. Depending on the context, a pony may be a horse that is under a given height at the withers, or a small horse with a specific conformation and temperament. Ponies are generally considered intelligent and friendly, and they are sometimes also described as stubborn or cunning. Properly trained ponies are appropriate mounts for children who are learning to ride. Larger ponies can be ridden by adults as ponies are unusually strong for their size. In modern use, some organizations may define a pony as a mature horse below a certain height at the withers, which may vary from about 142 cm (14.0 h) to nearly 150 cm (14.3 h) . The main distinction between ponies and horses is height, with a horse usually being considered to be an equine thats at least 14.2 hands tall, while a pony is an equine less than 14.2 hands. Ponies are of the same species (Equus caballus) as horses and come from the exact same family tree, but they stay small their whole life, maturing more quickly than horses. In general, a pony is a small horse of any of several breeds, usually not higher at the shoulder than 14½ hands (58 inches/146 centimeters) .