126 THE HORSE AND ITS RELATIVES 



The ponies of Orkney are stated to be of a 

 more mixed type, as well as larger in size and 

 coarser in shape than those of Shetland. The 

 Hebrides are also the home of numerous ponies ; 

 those of the Outer Hebrides being small, round- 

 shouldered, and muscular, with thick and rough 

 winter coats, while those of the Inner Hebrides 

 are usually larger ; Mull, Barra, Islay, Tiree, Skye, 

 and Uist being the islands most noted for the good 

 qualities of their ponies. Mr. Munro Mackenzie^ 

 states that the small ponies of Barra and the outer 

 islands stand from I2| to 13I hands, and, although 

 having rather large and heavy heads and straight 

 shoulders, are hardy, serviceable animals. The 

 ponies of Mull, Tiree, Skye, and Uist, as well as 

 some parts of the west coast of the Scottish main- 

 land, are a larger type, running from 13I to 14I 

 hands in height ; but are now very scarce. They 

 are mostly blackish brown in colour, but some are 

 brown, bay, or dun, others cream-colour, and a few 

 grey. In this case tradition tells of infusion of Barb 

 blood from horses saved from the wreck of the 

 Spanish Armada ; while other reports refer to the 

 introduction of discarded Arab chargers by military 

 officers. Certain it is that Arab characters are 

 prevalent among them ; and curiously enough, in 

 the duns as well as in those of other colours. 

 Whatever may have been the source of this Arab 



^ Polo Pony Society's Stud Book, vol. vii. 



