The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1901-05-31
RAISING SHETLAND PONIES.

A Shetland pony farm, where ponies
are raised and trained for their work,
is a place full of interest to one who
admires the gentle little creatures
and who does not?
From the tim a pony is borne until
it reaches the age when it may assume
the dignity of harness it receives the
best of care. There is 6. farm in Wayne
county, Indiana, where about 200 Of
the little animals are produced every
year. There are warm barns with
long rows of straw-littercd stalls !;
overhead are mows of sweet-smelling
hay, and trough Of pure running
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
children. If stranger enter the barn
it is instantly known by every pony
there, and there is turning of heads
and switching of tails indicative of
restrained 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 re-
calls the remark ola famous man about
Cinnamon "They all look alike un-
til seen separately
When the attendant, whose sole
business is to wait upon these small
equine aristocrats, leads out one after
another and explains its distinguish
ing features, the difference is then
quite perceptible.
Here is one that has been especially
trained for some little girl who is
nervous and timid. Its dainty step
and intelligent dark eye idicate fine
style and tractable, docile disposition.
Its glossy coat shines like satin and
its 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 fol the disposition and use of
a boy who is not at all nervous or
timid and who may wish to ride or
drive long distances in day, and who
may unthoughtedly 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 suitable
for any sort of boy or girl.
Ponies of almost any color desired
may be found, but the favorlte colors
are bays and blacks. There is no de-
mand for the sorrels with large cream
colored spots, such as were quite com
mon years ago. The solid colors are
regarded as more beautiful, rnd are
the ones now sought hy fastidious
buyers.
In training the ponies kindness is
practiced under all circumstances
When the little pony colt, which man
can take up in his arms and carry
about, Is strong enough to run and
play with its mother, a little 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, little set of buff harness, with
silver 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 it.
Later on it is hitched to little ycl
low cart and trotted about the smooth
gravel drives that wind among stately
trees in every direction. 1t is taken
close to pulling 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.
Its actions under all these conditions
are carefully noted and recorded, and
its special qualifications for particu
lar purposes fully ascertained.
1t has been learned at this farm
that a pony's natural characteristic
are not easily changed, although
vicious propensities may in measure
be subdued, and a timid 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 pur'
pose being to make them useful, trac
table and safe under all circumstances
When pony is sold and started away
from the only home and friends it has
ever known the purchaser is recommen-
ded to be kind and consideratc to il
at all times.
The ponies in the barns are kel
there to supply immediate demands
They are groomed and trained and
kept accustomed to harness, so thai
they may he ready to leave at any
time The greater number Of ponie:
are kept out of doors all winter an'
are taken into the barns only in th.
most extreme weather, as were those
in the barns before they were selected
or sllc.
There are broad fields where tht
turf even in winter is beautiful. II
I