yS Breeds of Horses 



defended on economical grounds; and though it is insisted that 

 the young stock stand the rough winter better than if they were 

 weaned in the autumn, which is probably correct enough, a little 

 forethought and a little enterprise might easily obviate any diffi- 

 culties on that score. 



Most of the ponies in the islands are owned by crofters, who have 

 from two to half a dozen, and they generally sell their ponies 

 at a year old. It is easy to see how they would benefit if they 

 were to so manage that their mares breed every year, but old 

 customs die hard. 



The Marquis of Londonderry, and his agent, Mr. Robert Brydon, 

 were about the first to breed Shetland ponies systematically. 

 Shelties had first been used as pit ponies in the coal measures 

 of the county of Durham as early as 1850, "and thirty years 

 later the Londonderry stud was formed. The greatest care was 

 taken to improve the bone and substance without increasing 

 the height, and though all colours are found amongst the Shet- 

 lands it may pretty safely be said that blacks and dark browns 

 were fairly established at this stud. Other successful breeders 

 have been — and, indeed, still are — Mr. R. W. R. Mackenzie, and 

 the Ladies Hope, whose ponies are known through the length 

 and breadth of the land. The Londonderry stud was dispersed 

 a few years ago. 



From his extraordinary power for his inches the Shetland pony 

 has been called a Clydesdale in miniature. This is, however, 

 a misnomer, except as regards their wonderful weight -shifting 

 power. There are two types amongst Shetlands, one with a 

 coarse head, and collar-filling, rather than saddle, shoulders; and 

 the other with smart blood-like head and riding shoulders. As 

 there have been no importations of stallions it is probable that 

 this variation is due to the difference of individual traits common 

 to all breeds, and there it may be left. The height of the Shet- 

 land pony is from 8 hands to 10 hands 2 in., the latter being 

 the extreme height admissible in the Stud Book; but with refer- 

 ence to the height it may be added that a class for miniature 

 ponies at the Agricultural Hall (191 3), in which the height limit 

 was 8 hands, obtained an entry of seven, and that one of these 

 only measured 6 hands 3 in. It has been noticed that good 

 pasturage and a better climate has had a material effect upon 

 the size of the Exmoor, Dartmoor, and New Forest ponies; 

 change of climate certainly does not tend to increase the height 

 of the Sheltie, so far as can be gathered. Occasionally, however, 

 they are crossed with larger breeds and with considerable success. 



