The Pony Puzzle is one of Sam Loyd's best known and commercially-successful puzzles. It consists of just six pieces of the silhouette of a horse, which have to be assembled in the most sensible way. Loyd got the idea for the puzzle from the governor of Philadelphia, Andrew Curtin, when the two were on a steamer returning from Europe and talking about the famous White Horse of Uffington – a famous chalk figure carved on a hillside in Berkshire, England.

Own your own!

Superb replicas of Loyd's puzzle available from Tony Fatseas. Limited edition: 1,000 puzzles. Only $1.50 each plus $3.00 postage USD or 5 puzzles for $5.50 plus $3.00 postage. For more details, go to samuelloyd.com or e-mail here