The Difference Between Horses and Ponies

Ponies and horses are more similar than they are different. Since they're significantl smaller, it's easy to mistake ponies for baby horses—and it's common for many people to do so. However, ponies are not the same as foals, and they have unique purposes in the equestrian world.

What is a Pony Horse?

A pony is a small horse measuring less than 4 feet tall. While they look like mini versions of regular horses, ponies have a different temperament and sturdier builds than most full-size horses.

Both horses and ponies are of the same species (Equus caballus) and come from the exact same family tree. However, ponies stay small their whole life, maturing more quickly than horses. Pony foals are tiny and rapidly mature to the approximate size of their parents. Horses are slower growing, some not attaining their full mature size until they are six or seven years of age.

Size

The most obvious difference between a horse and a pony is size. For most purposes, a pony is under 14.2 hands high if you ride English, and under 14 hands if you’re a western rider. This size distinction varies between places, too, and often they are arbitrary sizes set for the show ring. Some horses are more pony-ish in their behavior and physiology, and some ponies more horse-like. In fairness to the riders and these mounts, these size standards help prevent ponies and small horses from showing against larger animals whose size might give them an advantage. It also isn’t safe to have very small children on tiny ponies riding around the same ring with larger horses.

Pony-Size Horses

Some breeds that are under the 14.2/14 hand mark are considered horses. Examples would be the Miniature Horse and the Icelandic Horse. Both are the size of ponies but are called horses. In the case of the Miniature Horse, most will have small ponies, such as Shetlands in their pedigrees, and it’s unlikely to find any actual horse breeds.