Curiosities of toil and other papers / by Dr. Wynter.

  • Andrew Wynter
Date:
1870
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Curiosities of toil and other papers / by Dr. Wynter. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    and not much bigger than a Newfoundland dog, is fast disappearing from the ride. We used to see him often with his double panniers filled with rosy children sway- ing about, but of late years not so frequently. The fact is, this diminutive race is dying out fast, and even in the Shetland islands he is now comparatively a rare animal. The Exmoor pony is more than taking his place. This, the last remnant of the indigenous British horse, is now becoming a famous breed. Some forty years ago this hardy little animal was crossed with Arab blood, and by rigidly adhering to selection of fine animals for the breeding-stock, some rare ponies are now finding their way to the market. These animals, from the time of being foaled, run absolutely wild over the hills and dales of Exmoor, or at least that portion of it which has been surrounded by forty miles of wall by the late Mr. Knight, of Simon's Bath; consequently they are splendid in wind and limb, and, when caught and sold by auction, are absolutely free from those weaknesses which are inseparable from horses reared and confined in hot stables. The size of these animals has been much increased by the Arab- blood, and they now average twelve hands, with small, well-made heads and fine limbs—spirited little fellows just suited for boys' riding, or for the pony phaeton in which they are now so often found. The revival of the Four-in-hand Club brings back a glimpse of the days of George IV., but with this pecu- liarity-many of the drags are horsed with Russian horses. The splendid turn-out of the Duke of Suther-
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