The Difference Between Horses and Ponies

 Others like the Welsh Pony will have individuals above the pony height standards, but may still be regarded as a pony. Some horse breeds have individuals of pony size, such as the Morgan Horse, American Quarter Horse, and many gaited breeds such as the Paso Fino and Kentucky Mountain Horse.

Defining Characteristics

Some differences between horses and ponies may not be as easy to spot as the size. Horses and ponies often have very different temperaments. Ponies tend to be more stoic and intelligent than larger horses. It’s a mistake to see this as docility. They can be quite wily, which is why it’s sometimes easier to find a quiet horse for a child than a reliable pony. Ponies are very adept at avoiding work and withstanding the consequences. Horses can be quieter, and often the larger the breed, the more docile they are. This depends largely on what the horse breed was developed for.

Ponies are incredibly strong for their size. They can pull or carry heavy loads with more strength than a horse, relative to their size. They are hardier than horses and can withstand greater ranges in temperature. Their coats tend to grow thicker in the winter, which often doesn’t shed out until the hottest days of summer. They begin to grow back their thick coats as soon as the days start to shorten. Ponies have thicker manes and tails. Their hooves tend to be tougher. They are heavier boned and shorter legged in proportion to their bodies compared to horses.

Digestion

Ponies can eke out nutrition from a pasture that a horse would starve on. In fact, it’s very easy to overfeed a pony, which makes them more prone to founder and laminitis than horses. Feeding a pony takes a slightly different approach than feeding horses.

 While some horses can be ‘hard keepers’ most ponies are the extreme opposite, apparently putting on weight just looking at the grass on the other side of the fence. A pony that is a hard keep is rare, and it may be an indication of a health problem.

Ponies also tend to live longer than horses. It’s not unusual for ponies to live beyond thirty years of age, and many world record holders for the oldest equines are ponies. Many ponies are still used for riding and driving into their late 20s.