THE SHETLAND PONY 



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The prices paid for Shetland ponies as a rule are very modest, 

 although extremely high figures have been paid. One of the 

 notable sales in Scotland is that at Earlshall in the East Neuk 

 of Fife. In 19 12 there were sold 126 head for an average price 

 of ^79, while in 191 3, 140 averaged ^73. In the 191 3 sale a 

 prominent breeder, R. W. R. McKenzie of Earlshall, sold 25 for 

 an average of ^90.50, his best mare, Duenna, bringing ^220.50. 

 At the same sale CM. Douglass sold 27 head for the average 

 of $74.SO. At a sale of George Heyl of Illinois in 1912, the top 

 price for mares was ^365 for the show mare Harum Sparkle, 

 while a number of choice mares sold for ;^200 each. Choice 

 stallions have sold for from ;^Soo to ^10,000, the latter price 

 being paid in 19 17 to George A. Heyl for King Larigo by 

 J. C. Brady of New Jersey. As a rule, whether for the stud or 

 show, the smaller type of ponies command the highest prices. 



The distribution of the Shetland pony outside of the islands of 

 its nativity is largely confined to Scotland, England, the United 

 States, and Canada. Large numbers have been imported to the 

 United States. In 1905 one importation of 201 head was made, 

 and many have been brought to this country since. These ponies 

 are largely distributed in the northern United States, with Ohio, 

 Michigan, Illinois, and Iowa prominent breeding sections. Many 

 of these ponies have been bred in Ohio, and in 191 3 what was 

 claimed to be the largest Shetland stud '" in the world " was in 

 operation in Highland County, where 275 pure-breds were kept. 



Organizations for promoting Shetland ponies are well established. 

 The headquarters of the Shetland Pony Studbook Society of 

 Great Britain, founded in 1 890, are located at Aberdeen, Scotland, 

 and their society has published a number of studbooks. The 

 American Shetland Pony Club was organized in 1888 and up to 

 1917 had published fifteen studbooks. Each of these organiza- 

 tions is actively engaged in promoting the breed and with sub- 

 stantial success. 



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