It has been suggested that the mares which have finished their active career of four or five seasons on the Polo ground might with advantage be used for breeding purposes, being mated with a small Forest or Moorland stallion. This suggestion does not commend itself to the practical breeder, who is well aware that a big mare throws a big foal even to a small horse. Were increase of size the object in view the worn-out Polo Pony mares might be used thus with every prospect of success; the reverse being our aim, it is to be feared that experiments conducted on these lines would lead to failure. [Illustration: _From a sketch by H. F. Lucas Lucas._ POLO PONY SAILOR.] It is reasonable to think that a breed of small horses can be established by the judicious intermingling of our Forest or Moorland mares with small Thoroughbred or Arab sires, but past experience in stock-raising has taught breeders that the creation of a new and improved strain, whether of horses, cattle, or other domestic animals, is a slow process. Failures must be corrected and errors retrieved by gradual and cautious steps before we can hope to succeed in creating a breed of ponies true to the required type. That it can be done with patience and skilled judgment there need be no doubt; but the evolution of the animal required, whether on the thoroughbred foundation or on the original progenitor of the thoroughbred, the Arab, will be a matter of time. It may be that the present generation will lay the foundation of a breed of 14-hands 2-inch Polo Ponies, and that posterity will build the edifice and enjoy the benefits. To summarise briefly what has been said in this chapter, the position is this:— (1) Ponies with blood, speed, courage, and the many qualities essential to make a first-class Polo Pony are rare. (2) (_a_) They command fancy prices when trained, but (_b_) it is only when trained and _proven_ that they command high prices. (3) The difficulty of producing a breed of blood ponies is due (_a_) to the long-maintained and successful endeavour to increase the size of the thoroughbred, and (_b_) to the fact that racehorses are bred for speed only, whereas speed is but one of the many qualities essential to the Polo Pony. (4) To avoid this difficulty— (_a_) The sire chosen for the foundation stock should be a small and compact Thoroughbred or an Arab. (_b_) The dam used for foundation stock should be chosen from the best of our Forest or Moorland ponies. (5) The tendency to undue increase in height should be counteracted— (_a_) In the individual, by a free and natural life as far as climate permits. (_b_) In the breed, by recourse to further infusion of Forest or Moorland blood when necessary. WORKS BY SIR WALTER GILBEY, BART. Animal Painters of England from the year 1650. Illustrated. Two vols., quarto, cloth gilt, Two Guineas net on subscription. Prospectus free.