The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1881-04-01
SHEEP Or HORSE.

On the west side Of 18th street. just
below Master. in a stable that sets back
about seventy-five feet from The street.
is one of the strdCgest freaks of nature
that has ever been seen In Philadelphia,
and one which is exciting great interest
among the psychologist whose attention
has been directed to it. The wonder is
what may be called a sheep-horse. In
other words, it IS an animal that has
many of the characteristics OF fine
horse and many of those of a sheep.
On looking at the animal for the first
time the spectator is puzzled TO decide
whether to consider ii a horse OF an over
grown sheep. Stand in front and look
at him, he undOubte edly resembles a gray
horse of rather meek nature, little on
the style of the one which is said to have
drawn the famous zone hoss shay
Turn him around, however, and look at
him from the rear and the spectator
would be equally sure that he was an
overgrOwn sheep just waiting to take a
gambol over the fields. The amin al has
a line, thick coat of genuine wool. as
heavy as that which grows upon ordina-
ry sheep. It's skull is undoubtedly the
skull of sheep. The fore hoofs of the
animal have AN indehture in the middle.
which show that they came very close 10
being cloven, and the hoofs of the hind
feet are also marked i'm the same wav
although not quite so strongly The
hide, where II can be seen by reason OF
the hair being worn off by the halter. is
the soft. oily hide of sheep The own
or stated TO NeJcS reporter the other
morning that he shears his sheep-horse
regularly III the sheep-snearing season
and always gets good crop of wool off
it. He says he has a robe made from
this wool, which he uses when riding
about in cold weather, and a good sized
cap made from the same material.
Very little is known Of this strange
combination OF sheep and hoise 1t was
caught in Dakota territory 10y the presen:
owner, who is dealer iu horses. In
pursuit Of his business, the gentleman
was one day riding along near the Buf-
falo mountains with some companions,
when they came in sight of troop OF
wild horses Chase was immediately
given, and after a short pursuit tie
sheep-horSe was singled out # the herd
10y its ambling gait and strange appear
ance. As it ran it threw its hind legs
out like sheep running in q field. The
purSuerS also noticed. even at a long dis
tance, the strange coat that covered it
and the strangely formed head, and they
Il. = J..
WAS no easy undertaking, as the animal
ran easily and kept it up. At length,
however, it was lasOOed and taken into
the geutleman's quarters. For a long
time II WAS very fractiOus, aud il took
time and patience TO tame it, When.
however, Il began to get used to stable
yard treatment, it became dOcile, and
was easily taught many little tricks.
Its nature proved to be in many respects
that of sheep. It is playful. and has
rarely evinced anything like viciousEesS.
At the present time it knows how Il
perform tweuty-fUuT tricks. which the
owner Las Taught it. In travelling OF the
road it can go at a fair trOt, but the pace
II eXcels in Is running having already
run, Its owner states. u mile in less than
two minutes, 1t is now years old and
stands 143 hands high. 1t WAS caught
when three years old, and has since that
time been kept west of the Mississippi
up TO three months ago, when it was
brought To Philadelphia. 1t has not vet
been Shod, and probably will not be, as
. its hOOfs bear the wear and tear of tray.
/ el very well and its owner proposes tC
( put it into the circus ring as tTicF
/ horse and curiosity. The owner takei
/ pleasure in showing his curiosity 10 sci.
I entitic persons, and quite number have
! called to examine it, They have as vet
; however, arrived at no definite COuclu-
( sion as to the pareItage of the queer an
! imal.