SHOOTING-PONIES. 67 



found this man's theory correct, as far as my experience 

 carried me. 



The Cape shooting-ponies are most extraordinary 

 animals. In a country of this description, where every 

 small journey, or even call, is made on horseback, the 

 pony is more convenient than the horse ; he is more easily 

 mounted, is cheaper both to keep and buy, and is gene- 

 rally more manageable and teachable. Beauty forms no 

 necessary item with a shooting-pony; he is often ugly, 

 misshapen, big-headed, and small in girth; but upon 

 examining him closely, the large bone of the leg, game 

 head, and large nostril, with several other recommenda- 

 tions, cancel the imperfection of want of beauty. His 

 action also is peculiar ; he rarely walks, his mode of pro- 

 gression being a sort of tripple, at which he travels about 

 six or seven miles an hour : trotting is not admired by 

 the Boers. When the pony gallops, he shows good action, 

 and his activity in scrambling down the hills that are 

 covered with loose stones, rocks, and holes, is something 

 marvellous ; he is seldom shod, his hoofs being as hard 

 and tough as iron. I usually shod the fore hoofs, as 

 the roads were sometimes hard in or near the towns; 

 but inland, where the country was nearly all grass, even 

 this was unnecessary. The hardiness of these ponies was 

 extraordinary ; they frequently had but little to eat, and 

 less to drink, were ridden long journeys, and then, while 

 covered with sweat, turned out on a plain to pick up a 

 very scanty meal. Their principal forage was fresh air 

 and a roll in the sand; and upon these they thrived 

 very well, while grooming was considered quite an un- 



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