Q2 SHETLAND PONIES. 



that the Islands were first taken possession of by Scandinavian plunder- 

 ers, and for a long time (until the Fifteenth Century) remained attached 

 to the crown of Norway, furnish good evidence that the Shetland Ponies 

 are of Norwegian derivation. Tradition, however, has it, that some of 

 the horses carried by the great Spanish Armada many vessels of which 

 were wrecked off the rugged Scotland coast escaped to the Islands, and 

 have since left their impress upon the native pony stock; the tradition 

 has the color of probability, more than this cannot be definitely stated. 

 Whatever their origin or subsequent mixture with other breeds, the Shet- 

 lands show in appearance and character the well-known influence of se- 

 vere climate and scanty food. They are extremely hardy, very small 

 standing about 8 to n hands high; shaggy coated, with bushy mane 

 and tail; always round and smooth in the barrel; with short, fine legs 

 and round, handsome feet. All colors are found, but brown, black and 

 spotted black and white or brown and white, are most common. 



The American Shetland Pony Club has been recently organized, and 

 a Stud Book started. Animals are admitted to registration under the 

 following rules, sent in by Mortimer Levering, LaFayette, Ind., the pres- 

 ent secretary: 



"Shetland Ponies 46 inches or less in height will be admitted as follows : 



"i. Shetland Pony by sire and out of dam both recorded in the Shetland Pony 

 Club Stud Book. 



"2. Shetland Pony having four top crosses, in each case by imported sire, or by sire 

 recorded in the Shetland Pony Club Stud Book. 



" 3. Shetland Pony examined and approved by the examining committee, as provided 

 by rule 6 of Additional Rules Governing Entries." 



The Shetlands are the safest and most popular ponies for children's 

 use, and large numbers of them are, and have ben, annually brought to 

 the United States for this purpose. They are remarkably intelligent, 

 and can be readily trained. Their hardiness and muscular endurance 

 have always been marked ; but they have little or no practical value out- 

 side of that already mentioned. When bred in America, the superior 

 food and attention given causes a considerable increase in size ; and 

 since the smallest ponies are in greatest demand this fact has led 

 to the practice, quite common at the present time, of importing as wanted 

 for sale, direct from the Islands. 



The illustration engraved after a sketch from life, expressly for 

 our use is an accurate representation of the breed. 



