138 FARM ANIMALS 
15. Ponies.—A great variety of ponies has been pro- 
duced in the mountainous parts of Great Britain. The 
Shetland ponies, coming from the islands of that name, 
are the most characteristic because they are the smallest. 
These little animals, sometimes Jess than three feet in 
height, are not only used in 
circuses, and as children’s 
playmates, but also in mines, 
where they draw the train 
cars. Not infrequently, 
when once taken down in the 
mine they never again see the 
light of day. Some have lived 
15 years, stabled and fed un- 
derground. There are several 
other tribes of ponies named for the localities where they 
originate, such as Welsh, Exmoor, Dartmoor and the 
New Forest. 
The broncho ponies of the western plains are of Span- 
ish origin, and therefore are of Oriental blood. The polo 
pony is externally a Thoroughbred and descends from 
one, but by birth he is a half breed. His sire is usually 
a Thoroughbred, and his mother a common mare. 
SHETLAND PONY 
