The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1883-11-28
Shetlar a Ponies

Robert Richardson, in Hsrper's Young People
Shetland is rather a remote quarter oil the
world and should not wonder if the ma
iority OF boys knew very little about it.
Many OF you have no doubt heard Of 0din,
the old Scandinavian god. Well, it is sup
posed that when he and his followers traV-
elled up from the Caucasian Mountains
northward to Norway and Sweden. they took
with them number of small
Cossack horses. and that some of
these found their way to Shet-
land, for the Shetland ponies very closely re-
semble the small horses of certain parts of
Norway.
Shetland ponies are chiefly remarkable for
their small size and their wonderful pluck
strength, and hardness In his native home
a Shetland pony rarely has the snug quarters
which he usually finds when he is taken
South and becomes the riding horse OF some
little boy or girl.
He has frequently to endure cold, hunger,
and exposure OF all kinds in a bleak and
cherries country. He has need, therefore,
for his rough. shaggy coat and his hardy lit
tie frame. They enable him to endure pri-
vatisn and hardship which would speedily
overcome animals that are much larger and
stronger in appearance
Almost every family in Shetland owns two
three, or more ponies, which are used for all
purposes OF draughJ and carriage, for bring
ing ia the farm produce corn, hay, pOta toes
and the rest as well as for riding. III Shet-
lander has 10 cart, he slingS a couple OF
wicker baskets over his pony's back in which
baskets he places his mark citing or his load
of peat or ClOdS of dried turf, which form so
large part of his winter fuel.
We call these little animals ponies and
rightly, but the Shetlanders always speak of
them as horses, for the good reason, | sup
pose, that they are almost the only horses
they know. They are often pets in the fam
ilv. A writer on Shetland, native of the
island, in speaking OF the ponies, says: "All
sorts OF pretty and uncommon names
are chosen for them. Some of them develop
great fOndness for sweatmeats, for which
they will seek the hand that caresses them
One OF these animals, when on a journey
will every quarter of an hour or so turn his
head round to his rider, seeking for the bit
OF biscuit which is always provided for him"
Altogether the Shetlanders would do very
badly without their sturdy, useful little
horses. and when the ponies are taken far
south to England, or the countries much
farther away still, their value by no means
dIminishes. They find homes among the
rich OF tue land. become the pets on many a
hOme-farm and country house and boys and
girls. Whatever their condition or crcum.
stances, think themselves fortunate in pos
seSsing Shetlar pony.
In America We have large numbers Of
Shetland ponies, and at the Horse Show re-
Gently held ~ New York city, thousands of
visitors fiooked to the stalls where these cum
ming little animals were placed on exhibit
ton The special prize offered for the best
and smallest Shetland pony was awarded to
Midget, beautiful little creature, black as a
coal and only thirty eight inches in height.
or about as large as some OF the NewiOund-
land dogs with which we are familiar
Roxie and her cunning piebald
colt were visted and admired bv
hundreds Of boys and girls who played with
the little creature while the proud mother
stood eying them with delight
Boy reader, value your pony. and make
the most of him as long you can. Treat
him well and wisely. and ia after-life the de-
light YOU Lad in him will remain with YOU
as = most pleasant memory. For my part,
can never see pony in the street, whether
being led by groom or with young rider
on his back. without a strange feeling, half
pleasure and half some other kind of a feel
ing that is more like sadness, while my
memory travels swiftly back to the DAYS
when ] was boy. and spent so many happy
hours in company with Tiny. my beloved
Shetlar pony.