PONIES 99 



in some cases for doing light draft work. Their great en- 

 durance makes them especially desirable for long trips and 

 for use in sections of the country where agriculture has not 

 reached a high state of development. They can be cheaply 

 kept because they are able to use their food to the best 

 possible advantage. 



In breeding ponies, one of the great diffictilties is to keep 

 the size within the Kmits set by the breed requirements. 

 The care and attention which must of necessity be given to 

 breeding operations tends to increase the size of the ani- 

 mals with each succeeding generation. 



American Ponies. — In America, the common pony is 

 the mustang, a term applied alike to both bronchos and 

 Indian ponies. These ponies, which are small and very 

 hardy, have been bred on the ranges where they have run 

 wild for many years. Their weights range from 850 to 

 900 pounds. Though difl&cult to break, they are faith- 

 ful, intelligent, fearless when trained, and have great en- 

 durance. These qualities have made them the favorite 

 pony of the cowboy on the western ranges. 



Ponies of Great Britain. — In Great Britain, there are 

 a number of breeds of ponies produced, the most common 

 being the Shetland, the Welsh, and the Hackney. 



The Shetland Pony. — The Shetland ponies are the 

 smallest breed. In their native country, the Shetland 

 Islands, lying to the north of Scotland, they are used to 

 carry loads, to work in mines, and to draw vehicles. Liv- 

 ing under the influence of a very severe climate, they are 

 the hardiest little horses that the world produces. In 

 conformation they are blocky ; their weight varies from 325 

 to 375 pounds, and their height is from 36 to 40 inches. 

 When allowed to run out of doors, they produce long. 



