472 HORSES SCOTCH PONIES 



riding ponies. The prevailing indeed the only colours are 

 black, brown, bay, and quite occasionally grey. I do not 

 remember ever having seen a chestnut, and if I found one 

 I should think it due to the introduction of other blood. 

 The four colours prevail in the order named, the best animals 

 often being jet black, and usually without white markings 

 unless it be a small white star. The head is pony-like and 

 intelligent, with large bright eyes and well-placed ears ; the 

 neck in the best examples being long enough to give a good 

 rein to the rider. The hind quarters are square and strong, 

 with a well set- on tail. The legs have more bone than those 

 of any of our indigenous breeds, ponies under 14 hands often 

 measuring 8 inches below the knee. Their muscularity of 

 arm, thigh, and second thigh is marvellous. Their habitat 

 (having been bred for centuries on the cold inhospitable 

 Fells, where they are still to be found) has caused a wonder- 

 ful growth of hair, the winter coat being heavy, and the legs 

 growing a good deal of fine hair, all of which, excepting some 

 at the point of the heel, being cast in summer. Constitution- 

 ally they are hard as iron, with good all-round action, and are 

 very fast and enduring." 



The Highland Ponies of Scotland were admitted as a 

 separate breed in Vol. VII. of the Stud Book, 1903. J. H. 

 Munro Mackenzie, Calgary, Isle of Mull, divides the breed 

 into three classes: (i) The representative of the original 

 Highland Pony (12.2 to 13.2) of Barra and the outer 

 Islands. " They have good hard legs and feet, head rather 

 large and plain, and shoulders a bit straight, but they are 

 hardy, useful little animals, well suited to stand exposure and 

 poor feeding, and when brought on to good keep it is 

 wonderful how they grow and improve. Colours : black, 

 bay, and brown, with a few duns and greys." 



(2) The High- Class Riding Pony of the West Highlands and 

 Islands^ running from 13.2 to 14.2. "But few remain. They 

 belong to Mull, Tiree, Skye, and Uist, and parts of the 

 Western mainland, and show a very strong cross of Arab 

 blood, which is believed to have come by Spanish Armada 

 horses or Arab chargers brought home by Highland officers. 

 The ponies have beautiful heads and good shoulders : are good 

 all over ; famous for staying through long journeys under 



