On the whole they are fairly quiet beasts, but they get restive with their loads, mainly but indirectly owing to the smoothness of the ice.

They know perfectly well that the swingle trees and traces are hanging about their hocks and hate it.

(I imagine it gives them the nervous feeling that they are going to be carried off their feet.) This makes it hard to start them, and when going they seem to appreciate the fact that the sledges will overrun them should they hesitate or stop.

The result is that they are constantly fretful and the more nervous ones tend to become refractory and unmanageable.
Oates is splendid with them--I do not know what we should do without him.
I did seven journeys with ponies and got off with a bump on the head and some scratches.
One pony got away from Debenham close to the ship, and galloped the whole way in with its load behind; the load capsized just off the shore and the animal and sledge dashed into the station.

Oates very wisely took this pony straight back for another load.
Two or three ponies got away as they were being harnessed, and careered up the hill again.