The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1900-05-02
Raising Shetland Ponies.

From the time pony is born until
1t reaches the age when it may assume
the dignity Of harness it receives the
best of care. There is farm in
Wayne County, Indiana, where about
Two hundred of the little animals are
! produced every year. There are warm
barns, with long rows Of straw Uttered
stalls; overhead are mows of sweet
smelling hay and trough of pure run.
ming water sparkles and gurgles at one
end of the barn.
Every stall contains pony and they
are all as quiet and well-behaved as a
thoroughly disciplined school of chill
dren. If a stranger enter the barn it
is instantly known by every pony there
and there is turning of heads and
switching of tails Indicative of re-
strained curiosity.
There is broad and long space of
clean flooring between the two rows
Of stalls. To walk along this floor and
inspect the ponies from the rear recalls
the remark Of famous man about
Cinnamon: ''They all look alike until
seen separately"
When the attendant, whose sole
business is to wait upon these small
equine aristocrats, leads out one after
another and explains its dissinguish-
ing features, the difference then is
quite perceptible.
Here is one that has been especial.
ly trained for some little girl who is
nervous and timid. It's dainty step
and intelligent black eye indicate fine
style and.a tractsble, docile disposi-
tion. It's glossy coat shines like sat.
in, and it's little. hoofs are like black
ivory.
Another is shown, sturdy, robust
and strong. Fully as beautiful and
intelligent, it is not so sensitive as
the first. 1t has natural qualifications
suitable for the use and disposition Of
boy who is not at all timid and who
may wish to ride and drive long dis
tances in day, ard who may un-
thoughtedly speak loudly or rudely or
drop the whip too heavily across the
pony's back and still not really wish
to have runaway. There are
grades between these two extremes,
in which pony may be found
that is suitable for any sort of boy or
girl.
Ponies of almost any color desired
may be found, but the favoritc colors
are bays ond blacks. There is no de-
mand for the sorrels, with large cream
colored spots, such as were quite com
mon some years ago. The solid colors
are regarded as more beautiful and are
tho only ones now sought by fastidious
boys.
In training the ponies kindness is
practiced under all circumstances.
When the little pony colt, which a
man can take up in his arms and car
ry about, is strong enough to run and
play with its mother, o little halter is
put on, it is taught to lead and start
! and stop at the word. When it grows
stronger. hu. act yet fully grown, a
little set of buff harness, with silver
buckles, is fitted on it, and it is driv-
en- about with lines. A gentle pressure
Of the bit on the tender mouth is suf-
ficient to guide it.
Later on it is hitched to a little vel
low cart and trotted about the smooth
gravel drives that wind among stately
trees in every direction. It is taken
close t, putting locomotives and along
side queer-looking vehicles, and into
the neighborhood bishops where there
is the sound Of changing iron and
pounding hammers and ringing bells.
It's actions under all these conditions
are carefully noted and recorded,
and all it's special qualifications
for particular purposes fully ascer-
tanned.
It has been learned at this farm that
q pony's natural characteristics are
noe easily changed, although vicious
propensities may in measure be sub
dued, and u timid and shrinking
spirit encouraged by kindness to as
sumo more confidence and aggressive
ness.
1t is never attempted to teach the
ponies any special tricks, the sole
purpose being to make them useful,
tractable and safe under all cir
cumstances. When a pony is sold
and started away from the only home
and friends it has ever known, the
purchaser is recommended to be very
kind and consideratc to it at all
times.