Chapter XV. 



ORLOFF TROTTERS. 



The Orloff family of trotting horses derives its name from the Rus- 

 sian Count Alexis Orloff Tschismensky, an enthusiastic lover of horses, 

 who is credited with producing the breed. 



In 1775, he imported the gray Arabian stallion, Smetanxa a horse 

 of unusual size and power. This horse was used on a Danish mare, the 

 produce being a stallion known as Polkan First, who in turn produced 

 from a Dutch mare the horse Bars First commonly regarded as the 

 progenitor of the breed. Lubezney First, Lebed First and Dobroy First, 

 three sons of Bars First, have given character to the blood of their sire, 

 and helped to fix the trotting instinct. The count selected his stallions 

 invariably from the foundation stock just noted, but resorted to the bet- 

 ter class of English and Dutch mares whenever practicable. 



The Orloff, like the American Trotter, is a made-up animal, but he 

 shows neither the speed at short distance, nor the endurance on a long 

 stretch, which characterizes so many of our American Trotters. A few 

 have been brought to America, but they are by no means generally 

 known. 



The prevailing color is gray, but blacks are common and bays are 

 frequently found. Possibly the Orloff may at some future time be used 

 to relieve the inbred condition into which certain families of our Ameri- 

 can Trotters are in danger of falling ; but as it stands now, the American 

 is so far superior to the Russian Trotter that our own breeders of trotting 

 stock have every reason to be well satisfied with the magnificent results 

 already reached, and should feel encouraged to put forth still greater 

 energies in the future. 



Chapter XVI. 



SHETLAND PONIES. 



They are, as the name indicates, natives of the Shetland Islands, 

 north of Scotland. As to their origin, one thing may be stated without 

 fear of contradiction, and that is: No trace of racing (Thoroughbred) 

 blood has ever found its way into their breeding. 



Their resemblance to the ponies of Scandinavia, and the further fact 



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