Is It True Ponies Are Bossier Than Horses?
Here’s what the scientific research says.
A reader asks, "Is there any truth to the claim that ponies are more difficult, bossier, and more unpredictable than horses?"
The photo above shows my daughter’s Welsh pony, named Lancer, many years ago. When we bought him, he had a bit of a reputation as an unpredictable bully. In fact, he managed to unseat me once after he bucked my daughter off, and I mounted him to try a bit of calm training. Anyone who has owned a pony probably has identified with this humorous meme at one time or another:
The photo above shows my daughter’s Welsh pony, named Lancer, many years ago. When we bought him, he had a bit of a reputation as an unpredictable bully. In fact, he managed to unseat me once after he bucked my daughter off, and I mounted him to try a bit of calm training. Anyone who has owned a pony probably has identified with this humorous meme at one time or another:
But is it true that ponies tend to be bossier and more aggressive than horses? Here is what scientific research says:
Ponies Are NOT Small Horses
Ponies are generally 14.2 hands or under, but they are not just small horses. According to Pennsylvania State University Equine program, classification of an equine as a pony depends on mitochondrial DNA, which is passed down through the mother of the pony. Their particular genetic make-up gives them thicker manes, tails, and coat, proportionally shorter legs, wider barrels, heavier bones, thicker necks, and shorter heads.
Why Ponies Are Smaller Than Horses
Ponies’ small stature is believed to be an adaptation to harsh environments in which their ancestors lived. Famously, King Henry VIII ordered that all horses under 15 hands be slaughtered because he believed they were incapable of carrying a fully armored knight. Whether by grace or by wit, many of these smaller horses and ponies escaped and hid in desolate areas where the king’s men were unwilling or unable to go, so they continued to thrive and reproduce. Because they could survive harsh environmental conditions, they were later re-domesticated for hauling coal and serving transportation needs. (You can read more about that here.)
Now How About That Pony Personality?
Equine scientists study behavioral traits in horses and ponies in two ways. The first is by putting horses and ponies of different breeds through various behavioral tests and recording how the horses behave. Some examples are introducing horses to new objects or events to see how they respond, observing them in pasture or in their stalls to see how much time they spend moving around and exploring, or teaching horses new skills and measuring how long it takes them to master them. The second way involves surveys sent to thousands of horse owners, trainers, and breeders that ask specific questions about the behavior of horses in their care.
The horses are then rated on a number of behavioral traits, such as those shown in the following chart, from a study published in Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 2008, volume 112, pp. 369–383:
Thoroughbreds, Arabians, and Welsh ponies/cobs rank as the top three breeds on the traits of Dominance, Anxiousness, Excitability, Sociability, and Inquisitiveness.
The results? Thoroughbreds, Arabians, and Welsh ponies/cobs rank as the top three breeds on the traits of Anxiousness, Excitability, Sociability, and Inquisitiveness.
Yes, But Why Are They Like That?
Researchers believe that the high levels of these traits may be partly attributed to their common Arabian ancestry All Thoroughbreds trace their ancestry back to just three Arabian stallions who were brought to England from the Middle East around the turn of the 17th century, and bred to the stronger and more stolid native British horses. (You can read more about that here.) Welsh ponies are the result of crossbreeding wild Welsh mountain ponies with Thoroughbred mares. In contrast, the Irish draught horse and American Quarterhorse rank lowest on these four traits.
Thoroughbreds, Arabians and Welsh ponies also rank high on Dominance, so perhaps that is why they often seem so bossy.
A final interesting result concerns the trait of Protection, that is, how willing the horse is to prevent harm to others. Arabians rank highest on this trait, Welsh ponies/cobs rank lowest, and Thoroughbreds rank somewhere in-between.
And what about our pony, Lancer? With time and patience, he became the sweetest mount a girl could want. He sailed over jumps with ease, put his mind to learning some dressage, and was a quiet and brave mount on the trail.
Happy riding!
Copyright Denise Cummins, PhD Dec 18, 2019; June 9, 2024
The Thinking Equestrian
As long you’re here, check out these!
Recommended equestrian products—riding clothes, tack, horse supplements, and more!
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Also--check out my blog!
Yes, But Why Are They Like That?
Researchers believe that the high levels of these traits may be partly attributed to their common Arabian ancestry All Thoroughbreds trace their ancestry back to just three Arabian stallions who were brought to England from the Middle East around the turn of the 17th century, and bred to the stronger and more stolid native British horses. (You can read more about that here.) Welsh ponies are the result of crossbreeding wild Welsh mountain ponies with Thoroughbred mares. In contrast, the Irish draught horse and American Quarterhorse rank lowest on these four traits.
Thoroughbreds, Arabians and Welsh ponies also rank high on Dominance, so perhaps that is why they often seem so bossy.
A final interesting result concerns the trait of Protection, that is, how willing the horse is to prevent harm to others. Arabians rank highest on this trait, Welsh ponies/cobs rank lowest, and Thoroughbreds rank somewhere in-between.
And what about our pony, Lancer? With time and patience, he became the sweetest mount a girl could want. He sailed over jumps with ease, put his mind to learning some dressage, and was a quiet and brave mount on the trail.
Happy riding!
Copyright Denise Cummins, PhD Dec 18, 2019; June 9, 2024
The Thinking Equestrian
As long you’re here, check out these!
Recommended equestrian products—riding clothes, tack, horse supplements, and more!
Three secrets to a secure seat
What are shoulder-in, renver, and travers for?
How to start a horse business
Amazing horse facts
Also--check out my blog!
