No. 2. 



Shetland Pony. 



65 



THE SHETLAND PONY. 



This beautiful but diminutive breed, varying from seven and a half to nine and a half 

 hands in height, is found in Shetland, and all the islands on the north and west of Scotland; 

 they are most elegantly formed, and possess prodigious strength for their size : one of these, 

 nine hands in height only, carried a man of twelve stones in weight, forty miles in a day ! 

 the man riding with his linees parallel with the pony's shoulders, to prevent his feet from 

 touching the ground, rendering it a question which was most to be pitied, the horse or his 

 rider ! Their heads are small and of remarkable features of character, with a very large 

 and flowing mane, and tail extending to the ground. Their backs are short, their quarters 

 finely expanded and powerful, their legs flat and fine, their pasterns short, and feet moat 

 exquisitely moulded and shining, black as ebony and impenetrable as flint: they are seldom 

 shod in their native highlands, and are sure-footed to a proverb : they are extremely high- 

 spirited and courageous, but tractable in their nature. They are often caught in their native 

 pastures, by being driven into a bog ! or are hunted up precipices, when the nearest pursuer 

 catches the animal by the leg, and it not unfrequently happens that both man and horse come 

 tumbling down together ! In winter, and the early part of spring, these animals have a 

 very ragged appearance, with their coats long and thick, and their manes and tails matted 

 together, but still beautiful to look upon. 



A gentleman was presented with one of these beautiful animals, docile as elegant, and 

 measuring only seven hands (28 inches) in height, and being desirous of conveying his pre- 

 sent home as early as possible, yet at a loss to do so conveniently, his friend said, "can't 

 you carry him in your chaise"?" He made the experiment, and the Sheltie was lifted into the 

 bottom of the gig and covered with the apron, some bits of bread being given him from time 

 to time to keep him quiet: he lay quite peaceably until the gentleman reached his destina- 

 tion, thus exhibiting the novel spectacle of a horse riding in a gig ! 



G. L. Meason, Esq., of Lindertis Kinie-Muir, Forfairshire, has a I'emarkably fine breed of 

 these exquisite little ponies, which he keeps in the highest state of grooming; they are, 

 therefore, quite pictures in miniature of tlie Arabian courser; and these he crosses with the 

 pure Arabian steed, their progeny being remarkable for fine symmetrical proportions, with 

 great speed and grand action. 



