THE HORSE HISTORY. 531 



all trotters. From a study of the horses named and their char- 

 acteristics, one may readily see that the best horses are not ob- 

 tained by accidental breeding, and the best performers in harness 

 and on the track have the double benefit of choice breeding and 

 skillful training. Such phenomenal trotters as Goldsmith Maid 

 and Maud S. illustrate the value of good breeding and skillful, 

 kind handling. 



Ponies. The origin of ponies is unknown. The Hebrews, 

 Greeks, and Romans have no name for them, if they had any 

 knowledge of them. The ass among the ancients filled the 

 place which the better class of ponies were suited for. The 

 pony can not be regarded as the dwarf of any breed of horses, 

 for the species seems wholly unable to produce horses, as horses 

 are to produce ponies. They appear to have originated in ex- 

 treme latitudes either of heat or cold, such latitudes as the 

 horse does not seem indigenous to, and where, if imported, he 

 would degenerate in size. 



Shetland Ponies. This is one of most distinct types of 

 European ponies. Ponies are found on Shetland Isles, in North- 

 ern Iceland, in Sweden, Scotland, and Wales, which seem to be 

 of same origin, and stunted and dwarfed by the cold and scanty 

 fare of their habitat. The Cossack horse found in Russia seems 

 to be a dwarf horse of good Turkish blood, reduced in size by 

 hardship and severity of climate, yet like all the others, has 

 lost none of his spirit nor ability to endure toil, hardship, and 

 spare diet. The Cossack and Shetland can endure labor on 

 comparatively less feed than any animal known. 



The Mustang and Indian Pony. Herbert believes the 

 mustang of Mexico and the Indian pony of North America to 

 have originally descended from European breeds. They are 

 now distinct breeds. Though they are tough and fiery and 

 often vicious, yet they are in every respect inferior to the 

 American horse, and can be ridden down by a troop of good 

 horsemen. They have no uniformity of color or form. They 

 are useful on the cattle ranches and plains under the sad- 

 dle, but they are not to be desired either for driving or farm 

 work. Unless taken young, the mustangs are intractable and 



