The Grade Pony
By Linda Pryor

The term "grade" refers to horses and ponies who are of mixed breed, and therefore unregistered. Because grade ponies are of no particular breed, there is no "breed standard" or "conformation type."  After all,  ideal conformation  and movement depend on what you are using the pony for.

With grade animals, most of the time, the parentage is completely unknown, and owners may only guess by looking at the conformation and temperment of the pony to decide what breed or breeds it might be. So much mystery surrounds these ponies: "What was his mother like?" "Have her brothers and sisters excelled in any area?" "Do ponies from this line have a history of a certain health problem?" When considering the purchase of a grade pony, most of the time you will never learn answers such as these. You will also be excluded from competitions where the pony must be registered. However, all is not lost. Grade ponies have much to recommend them. Read on!

If you are not showing in breed specific competitions , grade ponies are judged on equal footing with purebreds. In open competition, performance alone determines show results. Often times, a pony of equal ability who is unregistered will cost much less than a registered one. And if you feel registration is important, several registries have an inspection process whereby ponies whose parents are unknown can pass performance and conformation exams and be registered in their studbooks. (see AWR, AWS, etc).

Grade ponies compete with the best of them in disciplines as varied as barrel racing, dressage, endurance, and jumping. As with any pony: in the end, it is the performance of the individual that is remembered.

Photo credit: Linda Pryor