A pony is a small horse, as determined by the animal's height in hands. Ponies are 14.2 hands (hh) or smaller, while a horse is anything taller than 14.2 hh. The term may of course be used informally for any small horse, regardless of the actual measurements.
For showing purposes, ponies are further grouped into small, medium, and large. Small ponies are 12.2 hh and under, medium ponies are over 12.2 but not to exceed 13.2 hh, and large ponies are over 13.2 but not to exceed 14.2 hh.
There have been several wild breeds of pony, and these have been selectively bred as children's mounts and for entertainment, and later as competitors and performers in their own right.
Pony Breeds
See also
