18 STABLE MANUAL AND HORSE DOCTOR 



in that vicinity, being sure-footed, and hard}'-, and admir- 

 ably calculated to get over the rough roads and dreary 

 wilds of that mountainous district. The Dartmoor pony 

 is larger than the Exmoor, and, if possible, uglier. He 

 exists there almost in a state of nature. The late Captain 

 Colgrave, of Dartmoor prison, had a great desire to possess 

 one of them of somewhat superior figure to its fellows, and 

 having several men to assist him, they separated it from 

 the herd. They drove it on some rocks by the side of a 

 tor (an abrupt pointed hill) ; a man followed on horseback, 

 while the Captain stood below watching the chase. The 

 little animal, being driven into a corner, leaped completely 

 over the man and horse, and escaped. 



The horses in the southern and western districts of 

 Devonshire, called "pack-horses," from their former use, 

 are merely a larger variety of the Exmoor or Dartmoor 

 pony. 



There is one description of pony, however, truly and 

 unmistakably aboriginal, in the northern parts of Britain — 

 we mean the unmistakable little Sheltie, or Shetland pony ; 

 an animal which loses every characteristic if an attempt or 

 accident should lead to an increase of their general size. The 

 strength of these little animals almost surpasses belief. 

 Seven, eight, nine, and at the outside ten hands high, 

 they are full of vigour, strength, and beauty, of a peculiar 

 stamp. There are some which an able man could lift up in 

 his arms; yet will carry him eight or ten miles, and as 

 many back. Summer or winter, they never come into a 

 house, but run upon the mountains, in some places like 

 flocks ; and if at any time in winter they are straitened for 

 food, they will come from the hills, when the ebb is in the 

 sea, and eat the sea-weed (as likewise do the sheep). 

 Winter storms and scarcity of food brings them so low 

 that they do not recover their strength till about the 

 middle of June, when they are at their best. They will 

 live to a considerable age, as twenty-six, twenty-eight, or 

 thirty years. They last to be good for riding at twenty- 

 four ; especially if they are not put to work until they are 

 four years old. Those of a black colour are judged the 

 most durable. The pied often prove not so good. They 

 have been more numerous than they are now. 



The Highland pony is far inferior to the galloway, and 

 is not pleasant to ride, except in the canter. His habits 



