INDIAN AND CREOLE PONIES 135 



pony, communication could not have been had between 

 the west and the east in the pioneer days. The pony 

 overland express was as useful and as necessary in its 

 day as are the transcontinental railways in our times. 



THE INDIAN PONY 



The Indian pony is an offshoot of the mustang. As 

 the mustang drifted northward, he found a colder 

 climate and, if not a more exacting, a less intelligent 

 owner. While the pony was ridden by the brave, he 

 was petted and starved in turn by the squaw. He was 

 often called on to perform tasks which tried his courage 

 to its utmost. What with close familiarity with the 

 family and periods of semi -starvation during inclem- 

 ent winters, as he drifted northward he lost something 

 of size and power to perform, and much of the erratic 

 temper due to his Spanish -Mexican origin. Like the 

 mustang, he is found in many colors. When well nour- 

 ished he inclines to be more rotund than the mustang. 

 Some writers have suggested that this is due, in part, to 

 a cross with the small horses of Canada. However this 

 may be, there is not enough mixture of blood to hide 

 the prominent mustang characteristics. 



CREOLES 



The little Creole pony is prized in some portions of 

 Louisiana. They have been called "pocket editions of 

 the thoroughbred race -horse." When crossed with the 

 Shetland, ponies are often produced which are not only 

 lively and hardy but gentle as well. 



