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Shetland Pony |
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Shetland Pony |
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The original habitat of the smallest of the British pony breeds on the Shetland Islands, about 100 nautical miles northeast of Scotland, is bleak and galeswept. The land has no trees; it abounds with rocky outcrops and much of the soil is thin and acid, supporting little more than rough grasses and stunted heather. So heather, these grasses, and mineral-rich seaweed formed the diet of the original Shetland Pony and this, together with the inhospitable environment, has governed it's character and small stature.
The Shetland Pony's origins are not entirely clear, but it is believed that they came to the Shetland Islands from Scandinavia before the Bronze Age, or even before that. The first traces of the ponies on the islands of Shetland and Orkney are dated more than 2500 years ago.
Shetland Ponies are naturally hardy and constitutionally strong. On the Shetland Islands, the ponies did every kind of work, including carrying seaweed and peat for fires. In comparison with their diminutive size, they are the world's most powerful equines, capable of carrying a man nimbly over rough country and able to work under the weight of heavy panniers. The ponies move with a quick, free action that is straight in front and behind and, because of its background of rough-strewn terrain, has a characteristic lift in the knee and hock joints. The legs are short and set in at each corner. They have large, sharply defined joints and strong, flat bone. They have round, tough hooves of hard blue horn with pasterns that are normally sloped and upright.
Ponies heads are well shaped and sensible with small neat ears, the forehead broad showing intelligence. Their neck is crested, particularly in stallions. It is strong, muscular and in proportion to the pony's size. And their chest is broad between the forelegs - never narrow.
A Shetland Pony's shoulders are strong, well laid and oblique, with great depth through the girth. A short back with exceptionally muscular loins is characteristic of the Shetland Pony. With its thickset, deep-ribbed body, it gives the impression of strength. The tail is well set on the broad quarters, which run into well-developed gaskins.
Shetland Ponies come in a variety of colors. Black is the foundation color, but brown, chestnut and grey can be found as well as skewbald and piebald. Their coat changes according to the season. It is smooth in summer, but a thick, wiry, double coat is grown in winter. Their tail and mane are especially full and profuse for protection against the weather.
The Shetland Pony is measure in inches rather than hands. The average height is 40 inches, but the best in terms of conformation are usually 1-2 inches smaller.
Shetland Ponies make popular children's ponies and go well in harness. In the past, they were used in mines when women and children were prohibited to work there pulling the ore carts from the mines. These hardy ponies are popular and versatile, and fun to own, especially if you keep them busy.
For more information on Shetland Ponies, visit:
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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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