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American Shetland Pony |
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American Shetland Pony |
By far the most popular pony in America is the Shetland, which originated in the Shetland Isles of Scotland. The first import of Shetlands to America was made in 1885. The American Shetland Pony Club was formed in 1888, and today there are possibly as many as 70,000 Shetlands in the USA. Shetlands are also very numerous on the European mainland, particularly in Holland. However, no other attempt has been made to cross the breed as in America.
Few of the Shetlands in America today bear much resemblance to the tough Shetland Island Pony whose character was formed by its harsh environment, where winter weather is severe and sustaining feed is minimal. The American Shetland is an artificial, manmade product, and while it is claimed that it retains the native hardiness and constitution of the pure Shetland, that is arguable and most unlikely. The breed was created by first selecting the finer types of Shetland and then crossing them with Hackney Ponies and topped off with a mixture of Arabian and small Thoroughbred blood.
The 'new-look' American Shetland is primarily a harness pony of pronounced Hackney character and with much of the so-called "hunter" types are shown under saddle to demonstrate its jumping ability. When shown in harness pony classes, much emphasis is placed on style and flashy action. They are also shown in pony-roadster classes in which a less exaggerated gait is allowed. In essence, the American Shetland is not much more than an American variation of the Hackney Pony. It is said to be intelligent, spirited, adaptable and very good natured. The action in harness is high, extravagant and flashy.
Greater length has been introduced in the legs by use of Hackney ponies, Arabians and small Thoroughbreds. Their hooves are grown long (for showing) and heavy shoes are used to accentuate the trotting action of these ponies.
The overall frame of the American Shetland is narrower and longer than that of the broad-beamed, short-legged Island Shetland, and there is obviously greater refinement and structural delicacy. The girth is adequate in depth and the limbs long and slender, their joints do not approach those of the unusually pronounced for a pony. They run into a short, well-made back with good loins and contribute to the slope of the shoulders. Their neck is long and graceful, blending well into the shoulder and the head well set in. The head is relatively long and the profile is straight or slightly dished. There is some loss of the forehead, though the Shetland character is correct and pleasing.
All sorts of colors occur in the American Shetland: brown, black, bay, chestnut, roan, cream, dun, and grey are all found. About the only thing that keeps and American Shetland from being registered is a Roman nose. The average height is around 42 inches at the withers, but smaller ponies can be found.
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© 1997-2007
NW Breyer Horse Club & Refiner of Gold Creations Equinealities in place since 1997, Section in place 2001, Updated 3/13/2007 |
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