226 MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 



other breeds of horses, the Shetland pony owes its present 

 perfection to its environment. Scant forage, oftentimes 

 entire lack of grain, and a cold climate, are responsible 

 for the diminutive form. 



The improvement of the Shetland pony began in 1873 

 when the Marquis of Londonderry took an active interest in 

 the breed. He purchased the Island of Noss and a part 

 of Bressay on which he maintained large studs. He had 

 a stud at Seaham Harbor, on the northeast coast of Eng- 

 land. 



FIG. 117.— SHETLAND PONIES AT HOME. LERWICK, SHETLAND ISLANDS 



In 1891 the government returns gave the number of 

 ponies on the islands as 4,803, but because of the demand 

 in recent years the ponies are steadily decreasing. S. B. 

 Elliot, who toured the islands in 1906, made a careful 

 estimate of the numb'^r of ponies, and could not account 

 for over 4,000 of all ages and sexes. Further, he estimates 

 the number of foals produced annually at 400. 



The Shetland pony in America. — The history of this 

 breed of ponies in America is comparatively brief, as but 

 few are found, although the first importations occurred 

 more than 25 years ago. While in their native home they 



