The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1900-04-23
SHETLAND PONY FARM.
Hundreds of the Pets Raised and
Trained In an Indiana Town.

Hundreds of the Pets Raised an(
Trained In an Indiana Town.
There is farm in Wayne County
Ind, where about 200 Shetland ponies
are produced every year. There are
warm barns with long rows of straw
Uttered stalls; overhead are mows OF
understanding hay, and trough OF
pure running water sparkles and CUR
giles at one end of each barn. Every
stall contains a pony, and they are as
quite and we'll behaved as through
ly disciplined school Of children If a
stranger enter the barn, 1T Is instantly
known by every pony there, and there
is turning of heads and switching of
tails indicative of restrained curiosity.
There is a 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 re-
calls the remark of famous man
about Cinnamon: "They all look alike
until seen separately" When an at
| tendant leads out one after another
and explains it's distinguishing fea-
lures, the difference in then quite per-
ceptible.
I1eT6 is one lfleLt mas DG9Il Especially
trained for some little girl. It's dainty
step and intelligent dark eye indicates
position. Its glossy coat shines like
satin and it's little hoofs are like
black ivory.
Another Is shown, sturdy, robust,
and strong, fully as beautiful and in
telligent, only not so sensitive as the
first. 1t has natural qualifications
suitable for the disposition and use Of
a boy who is not at all tiinid and who
may wish to ride or drive long dis
tances in a day, and who may speak
loudly or rudely or drop the whip
heavily across the pony's back, and
still not really wish to have run
away. There are grades between
these two extremes in which a pony
may be found suitable for any sort
of boy or girl.
Ponies of almost any color desired
may be found, but the favorite colors
are bays and 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 are the
only ones now sought by fastidious
buyers.
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 carry
about, is strong enough to run and
play with it's mother, a small halter Is
put ON it and it is taught to lead and
start and stop at the word. When it
grows stronger, but not yet fully
grown, a set of buff harness, with sill
yer buckles, is fitted on it, and it Is
driven about with lines. A gentle
pressure of the bit on the tender
mouth is sufficient TO guide II
Later on it is hitched to a yellow
cart and trotted about the smooth gra-
vel drives that wind among stately
trees in every direction. 1t is taken
close to putting locomotives and along
side queer looking vehicles, and into
the neighborhood of shops 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
its special qualifications for particular
purposes fully ascertained.
1t has been learned at this farm that |
a pony's natural characteristics are
not easily changed, although vicioulri
may in a measure be sub |
dued and a timid, shrinking spirit en-