The soft rubbery layer of horn that forms the deciduous hoof capsule of fetuses and foals. It protects the uterus and birth canal from the hard substance of the hoof and is shed as soon as the foal finds its feet.

A horse with a height of 14.2 hands (148 cm) or less is termed a pony.

Pony breeds that are native to the British Isles including the Dartmoor, Exmoor, New Forest, Welsh, Fell, Dales, Highland, Shetland and Connemara.

They were originally bred as working ponies adapted to a harsh climate and poor quality grazing. These days they are mainly used as childrens riding ponies and are often maintained on grazing and diets that are far too nutritious for their needs (sugars and proteins). This makes these breeds of pony particularly prone to laminitis.

Certain breeds still have a feral population (e.g. Dartmoor and Exmoor, New Forest)