Grayson Highlands
Virginia
July 2011
The equines here in the land below Mount Rogers, the highest point in Virginia, are ponies. Contrary to popular belief, ponies are not baby horses. To wit…
In comparison to horses, ponies…
. endure the cold better
. are stockier with shorter legs, wider bodies, shorter thicker necks and shorter heads with broader foreheads
. have heavier bones
. sport a thicker mane, tail and coat
. are stronger for their size
. are probably smarter than horses and usually have a calmer temperament
. never bet when they are holding 17.
Ponies are usually less than 14.2 hands tall. A “hand,” in horse-speak, peculiar as it is, measures four inches.
