A pony is a type of small horse (Equus ferus caballus). Depending on the context, a pony may be a horse that is under a given height at the withers, or a small horse with a specific conformation and temperament. Compared to a larger horse, a pony may have a thicker coat, mane and tail, with proportionally shorter legs, a wider barrel, heavier bone, a thicker neck and a shorter, broader head. The word pony derives from the old French poulenet, meaning foal, a young, immature horse.[1]: 1041
In modern use, some organizations may define a pony as a mature horse below a certain height at the withers; this may vary from about 142 cm (14.0 h) to nearly 150 cm (14.3 h).[citation needed] (Note: 14.3 hands means 14 hands and 3 inches, ie decimally 14.75 hands.) Some people classify an animal as either horse or pony from its pedigree and phenotype, no matter what its height.[citation needed] A full-sized horse may sometimes even be called a pony as a term of endearment.