26 HORSEMANSHIP. 



harness. The Orlov, another horse of Arabian descent, 

 though not pure, owing to an admixture of Dutch Friesian, 

 is essentially a harness horse, and in American hands would 

 be a trotter. There is nothing in the German bred horse to 

 recommend him to my readers. 



Ponies of all sorts come to us from abroad. Hungary, 

 Russia, Norway, and Iceland, each contribute in ever- 

 increasing numbers, and now that Shetlanders are eagerly 

 sought after by our wealthy American cousins, and have 

 risen greatly in price, we may expect still heavier importa- 

 tions. Of these diminutive animals few are good, many 

 indifferent, most unfit for anything save the coal-mine and 

 the costermonger's cart or barrow. AVhen we consider the 

 cost of freight, risks by sea and land, and the low price at 

 which these little slaves are purchased here, the wonder 

 is what must be their cost in their native pastures. It is 

 easy to distinguish these half-starved uncouth strangers from 

 the ponies of these Isles. Ere long, however, the ex- 

 aggerated droves or mobs of the New Forest — where 

 overstocking and, during the winter, cruel neglect bordering 

 on almost absolute starvation, is rapidly ruining this once 

 famous breed — the ponies at the royal grazing-demesne 

 must lose their neat finish. At no distant date they may 

 become as common-looking and plebeian as the products of 

 the coarse wershy pastures of the inclement North or of the 

 Danubian marshes. Under the influence of the American 

 " boom," and with such men as the Marquess of London- 

 derry, the Earl of Zetland, and others interested in the Shet- 

 land breed, there is no fear of its deterioration. Ranging 

 from 8.3 to II hands these miniature horses have, in pro- 

 portion to their stature, enormous strength, are very docile, 

 and easily managed. Isly only objection to them is that 

 they are spread too much — too thick through for children's 



