Muscatine journal. [volume] (Bloomington, Iowa) 1849-185?, 1853-09-02
The Shetland Pony.

ihese CuTlOuS IIttIe dnI mas dttraC
so much attention where ever the
appears especially among youths, tina
they generally form a part Of all mana
gefies that travel through the country
No wonder that they are great favorite
with the girls and boys for their small
size. beautiful shape, and gentle, play
iui disposition, seem to fit them exactl,
TO be playmatss for young people
and the little horses are always read,
u join in their pleasure excursions ant
frolcs.
Egypt was the original country O
horses; but as they are now found in
all parts Of the world they differ grea tly
each kind of horse being adapted ts
the climate and productions Of the
country he inhabits. The Shetland
pony is jus. the animal required in Scot.
land, the Shetland Islands from which
its name is derived, and Canada. Its
diminu,ive size suits the scanty vege ta.ion
OF those coun Mes, which would no,
support large animals; bu, il they were
as feeble as they are small. they would
be OF little service. They, however,
possess immense strength in proportion
TO their size, and are SO tough and healthy
that they can live among the mountains
| through the long winters, and servive 10
great age, even fifty or sixty years.
In Scotland, they are called Shel,ies,
and as they have 10 take care OF them.
selves, they run almost wild upon
the mountains, and will climb up s,ee %
places. standing with ease on the very
edge of most frightful precipices.-
On the Sabbath, they are always wanted
10 carry the families to church, and
they must be caught on Saturday. The
rogues know how to make this a
ditflcult task. l,is pleasing sight, on
sunday morning, to see one or two
women mounted upon one of these ponies,
covering him SO completely with their
large dresses, that nothing can be seen
OF the pony but his droll, little head.
A middling- sized man must ride with
his knees raised 10 The animal's shoulders,
TO prevent his toes from touching the
ground. Its surprising TO see with what
speed they will carry a heavy man over
broken and zigzag roads In their native
mountains.
gentleman, some time ago, was
presented with one oil these hands some
lille animals, which was no less docile
than elegant. and measured only seven
hanas' or twenty eight inches in hight.
he was anxious TO convey his present
home as speedily as possible, but, being
at considerable distance, was at loss
how TO do SO most easily.
The friend said, "Can you not carry him
In your chaiSe - He made the expert
ment, and the Shelly was lifted into il
covered up with the apron, and some
bits OF bread given to keep him quiet.
lie lay peacefully ill he reached his des,
tination, this exhibiting that novel spec
taclc OF 4 horse riding in gig.
gentleman had u white pony. which
became extremely attached to little
white dog that lived with him in the
stable and, wherever the horse was ta-
Ken Out, the dog always ran by his side.
One d.y, when the groom took out the
pony Tor exercise aud accompanied. as
usual, by his canine friend, they met
large dog. which attacked the diminutive
cur, upon which the horse reared, and
to the astonishment Of the -s,anders,
SO effectually fought his friends battle
with his fore feet, hat the aggressor
found II for his interest to scamper off
at full speed, and never again ventured
TO asSall the small dog.
A little girl. the daughter Of gentle
man in Warwickshire, (England,) play
ing on the banks ofa canal which runs
through his rounds. had the misfortune
to fall In, and would, in all proba biIity,
have been drowned, had not a little
pony, which had long been in the family,
plunged into the stream and brought
the child safely ashore, without the
slightest injury.
A farmer in Canada had large mum
Der OF ponies, aud among them very
naIa.ame ana playful one, which was
greet iavorite with little boy abou,
ten years Of age. the only child Of the
farmer. One day the boy was sent seve.
raj miles on an errand for some money,
with warning TO return before night,
as the country was infested with robbers.
Ills visit was SO delightful that he
forgot the command Of his parents,
and did not mount his pony to return
ill it was quite dark. His road lay
through thick forest, and it was not
long before q highwayman attacked and
dragged him from his horse, which ran
swiftly homeward. Meantime. his ter
rified parents sat trembling by their
hreside, awaiting their boys return.-I
They were just preparing to 80 in search
OF him, when they heard the cfattering
Of hoofs, and soon after loud kicking
and paving at the door. On opening
It. they saw the pony in state Of great
with his saddle and bride
dangling about him. He ran from them
q short distance, then irisked about, and
seizing the fathers coat in his teeth,
pulled him along. The agonized pa
rents followed the animal, who ran
ahead. constantly turning back and
neighing to urge them forward. A!,er
travelling many miles through tie woods,
they came 10 the place where the boy
had been robbed, and found him tied
10 tree. stripped Of his money and
clothes and half dead with fear and
cold. He was placed on the poney's
back, who proudly bore him home, aud
was ever after treated as true friend
bV the how whose life ha had sayed