(3) Inasmuch as the forest and moorland ponies owe their small size and soundness to the hardships of the free and natural conditions in which they live, their half-bred produce should-- (_a_) Lead a similarly free and natural life as far as climate permits, in order to inure them to the hardships of warfare and general work: (_b_) Should exist, as far as possible, on natural herbage: as in all cases artificial feeding tends to render them less hardy and enduring. APPENDIX. Since this little book was placed in the printers' hands, a work published in 1836 has come under the writer's notice. This is entitled _A Comparative View of the Form and Character of the English Racer and Saddle Horse during the Past and Present Centuries_.[4] It was written with the view of showing that the natural qualities of the horse--endurance, weight-carrying power and speed maintained over long distances, are found at their best in the horse which has been reared under natural conditions and whose stature has not been increased by "selection" in breeding and by artificial conditions of life. In the opening words of the Introductory chapter; [4] Illustrated by eighteen plates of horses.--Anon. Published by Thomas Hookham, London. "The main object of these pages is to investigate the results of that structural enlargement of animals which is unnatural, to point out those properties which may be acquired by certain of them when fully reclaimed, and those which they are likely to lose in this condition. "The natural stature both of horses and cattle is small compared with that which they acquire when domesticated. The enlargement of their structure is effected by grass made by art unnaturally rich, or by food yet more foreign to their nature. Supplied plentifully with either throughout the year, horses acquire an increase of stature in muscular power which enables them to carry or drag a heavier weight...." The author proceeds to observe that in enlarging the structure we seem to modify rather than improve the vital powers of the animal; and by way of illustrating his meaning points out with great truth that-- "In the human race any extent of skeleton or amount of muscle which is unusually large is rarely allied with a full amount of vital power. Still, the man who has most muscle can make the greatest muscular exertion. If we change the nature of the trial and render it one of time or privations, the greater vital power of smaller but well-formed men is apparent."