repute or in general use in the North. They are of all colors,—browns, bays, blacks, sorrels, duns, and, by no means unfrequently, piebalds, which is an extremely plebeian color, and which most certainly implies a deterioration of blood from the Oriental or desert type. When it is seen in domestication, it is held to imply a cross of the Hanoverian or Pomeranian horse, both of which run to fancy colors, spots and piebalds.
The pony of the northern Indians, prevailing from Canada downward, west of the lakes, over the Upper Mississippi country, is a totally distinct animal. He rarely exceeds thirteen, never fourteen hands, and is a veritable pony—short-barreled, round-ribbed, strong-limbed, short and thick-necked, with legs, fetlocks and feet literally of iron. His legs are covered with thick hair, his mane is almost as voluminous as that of a lion, often falling on both sides of his neck, while the forelock covers his eyes, and his tail is heavy and waved like that of the Canadian. In one word, he is the pure Norman war-horse of the largest, oldest, coarsest and most massive type, razeed into a pony. We are not aware that there is any history or tradition as to his origin, but we cannot doubt that he is nothing more or less than the original Norman horse of the Canadas, degenerated in size but in no other respect, by ages of neglect, misuse, scanty sustenance, want of shelter, and cruel usage, generation after generation. We doubt not they could be bred up in size by judicious treatment. As it is, however, they are in every respect but size and great speed all that can be desired. They are as sure-footed and as easily fed as mules, and, fifty to one, more enduring of cold. At their own pace, from five to seven miles an hour, they will jog along, perfectly unwearied, for fifty miles a day, week after week, with a load of one hundred and sixty pounds on their saddle, or three hundred in a wagon behind them.
