The early settlers of New Amsterdam were from Holland. They did their riding upon cumbersome animals more calculated to carry great burdens slowly than lighter ones with vim and dash. The Dutch settlers, therefore, introduced from Holland the ponderous animal of burden, rather than the prancing steed for which the Virginians were noted, thus a type of horse developed patterned somewhat after the drafter, although much lighter in weight. This type became known as the Conestoga. This comparatively light draft horse, bred primarily for freighting heavy merchandise across the mountains and over the primitive roads, was well adapted to the pioneer's farm, where such work required patience, strength and hardiness. Horses of this type soon spread into Pennsylvania and westward, where they formed the blood of the mare stock that produced our grade draft horses.

The colonial horse of New England.-In 1629 the London founders of the Massachusetts Bay plantation landed 25 head of mares and stallions at Boston harbor. During this same year six mares and one stallion were landed at Salem. Several other shipments followed, but nothing worth special mention until 1635, when two Dutch ships arrived at Salem with 27 mares and three stallions. These were followed by numerous importations.

The Puritan who settled New England was not a man for display. He was given to humility and to simple drudgeries, denying himself all indulgences. He was sturdy and reliant, asking the horse to share his burdens, thus a type of horse developed noted particularly for general utility. This type was larger than the Virginian, more muscular and with greater weight of bone, but not the equal of the Conestoga in either size or strength. This type was spread through all New England, where it was perfectly adapted to conditions. It played an important part in the formation of the Morgan strain of horses, which, in turn, entered into the develop

ment of both the American trotter and the American saddler.

The early Canadian horse.-While it seems certain that horses were introduced from France to Port Royal as early as 1609, yet this settlement played no part in the distribution of the Canadian horse. The next notable authentic importation did not occur until after the middle of the century, when Marquis de Tracy arrived at

Quebec with his expedition including a large number of horses. Other large shipments followed.

Since the St. Lawrence region was largely settled by the French, who were at that time breeding medium weight horses, we find them developing a type of semidraft horses in Canada, although later many light horses were introduced, so that the region became famous for two types of horses, one fashioned after the Thoroughbred, the other after the drafter, though lacking the pon

derous size of the present day draft horse. It is worthy mention that in the acclimation the Thoroughbred lost some of his speed as well as the drafter his size, but both gained in hardiness and endurance. Because of the speed and endurance the light type became widespread, many of the horses finding their way to New York and Kentucky, where they entered into the formation of the American trotter and the American saddler.

While the eastern colonies and the eastern central and southern states were being settled and populated, the horses that had escaped from the Cortez expedition of 1519 in Mexico and from the De Soto expedition of 1540 in the Mississippi valley and perhaps others, were multiplying rapidly in Mexico and southwestern United States, due to the very nutritious foods available, and to the favorable climatic conditions.

The Indian pony. This is the name given the feral ponies in western United States. They are not a distinct breed. Certain it is, however, that they have. roamed the plains for so many generations that their characters have become sufficiently fixed to be transmitted from parent to offspring, and, in fact, they have become perfectly adapted to the environment.

Mustang, Broncho and Cayuse.-The Indian pony is often designated by various names common to particular localities. Thus in the South he is known as the Mustang; in the West as the Broncho; and in the North as the Cayuse. Because of the great endurance, the Indian pony has been very useful on the ranges, particularly in herding cattle. In recent years this strain has been much improved by crossing with the Arabian, Thoroughbred and American trotter. In his improved form, the Indian pony is useful wherever hardy, active and enduring horses are needed.

Description of the Indian pony.-In size the Indian pony averages 12 to 14 hands high and weighs 600 to 800 pounds. All colors are found, but duns are perhaps the

more common.

The head is often large and bony, the barrel short and closely ribbed, the legs strong and cordy, and the feet excellent. The disposition has been much criticized, but this is largely a matter of training. As a rule, the tame ponies range the South, and the wild ones the North.

The Mexican pony.-This strain of pony was developed in Mexico, where it has ranged in a wild and semi-wild state for many generations. The Mexican pony is similar to the Indian pony in all important respects. In size the Mexican is perhaps the smaller, averaging 12 to 13 hands in height, and weighing 500 to 800 pounds. The color, conformation and quality are much the same in the two strains. In recent years the Mexican pony has been improved by crossing with the Thoroughbred, the Arabian, and the American trotter with a view to increasing the usefulness as cow ponies. The best of both types are sometimes used as polo ponies, which usually requires more than one cross.

CHAPTER XXIII

THE DOMESTIC ASS

The domestic ass is commonly known as the jack or the donkey, although the latter is often restricted to the smaller species, as the burro. The male is usually designated as jack or jackass and the female as jennet.

Species of the ass.-There are several species or varieties of the wild ass found in various parts of Asia and Africa, two of which are worthy of mention, namely, the Asiatic wild ass and the African wild ass.

The Asiatic wild ass (Equus hemionus).—This species is found in Asia, from the plains of Syria through Persia, Afghanistan and Thibet to the Chinese frontier. As a rule, it travels in small herds. The color varies somewhat, though gray, fawn and pale chestnut are the most common. The belly is of a whitish color. This species is notable for its speed and endurance. The height varies from II to 12 hands.

The African wild ass (Equus asinus).—This species is found most numerous in Nubia, Abyssinia, and in northeastern Africa, between the Nile and the Red Sea. It is assumed that the domestic ass descended from this species. The color markings, the ears, and the cry or bray are similar to the domestic ass. It is stated also, that this species dislikes streams of water, dark holes and the like-notable traits of the domestic ass.

Early history of the ass.-This animal was used as man's beast of burden at the dawn of authentic history. From the evidence it seems that the early people appropriated to their use those things which lay easiest at hand and from this it has been assumed that the wild ass easily passed into a state of domestication. Little attention was given to improvement until modern times.