Breed Registries | History & Origin | Uses | Breed Standard | Breeders
Breed |
Shetland |
Alternative Name(s) |
N/A |
Place of Origin |
Shetland Islands, Scotland |
Type |
Pony |
Approximate Height |
10.2 hh. |
Color Variations |
All |
Blood Temperature |
Warm |
Uses |
Under-Saddle |
Characteristics |
Hardy & Intelligent |
Shetland Pony History & Origin
Shetland ponies originated in the Shetland Isles, located northeast of mainland Scotland. Small horses lived on the Shetland Isles since the Bronze Age, and while the roots of the ancient wild pony are unknown, it is believed that they are related to the ancient Scandinavian ponies; the islands were once physically connected to Scandinavia up until the end of the last Ice Age, approximately 8000 BC. People who lived on the islands domesticated the animal and later crossed the native stock with ponies imported by Norse settlers. Shetland ponies also were probably influenced by the Celtic Pony, brought to the islands by the Celts between 2000 and 1000 BC. The harsh climate and scarce food developed the ponies into extremely hardy animals.
Shetland ponies were first used for pulling carts, carrying peat, coal and other items, and ploughing farmland. Then, as the Industrial Revolution increased the need for coal in the mid-19th century, thousands of Shetland ponies travelled to mainland Britain to be pit ponies, working underground hauling coal, often for their entire (often short) lives. Coal mines in the eastern United States also imported some of these animals.
The Shetland Pony Stud Book Society of the United Kingdom was started in 1890 to maintain purity and encourage high-quality animals. In 1957, the Shetland Islands Premium Stallion Scheme was formed to subsidize high-quality registered stallions to improve the breeding stock.
Shetland Pony Pony Uses
Today, Shetlands are used as children's riding ponies, are shown by both children and adults at horse shows in harness driving classes as well as for pleasure driving outside of the show ring. Shetlands are ridden by small children at horse shows, in riding schools and for pleasure. They are seen working in commercial settings such as fairs or carnivals to provide short rides for visitors. They are also seen at petting zoos and sometimes are used for Therapeutic horseback riding purposes. In the United Kingdom, they are also featured in the Shetland Pony Grand National, galloping around a racecourse with young jockeys.
Shetland Pony Pony Breed Standard
- The Shetland Pony Stud-Book Society, Scotland
Height: |
Registered stock must not exceed 42 inches (107cms) at four years or over. |
Colour & Markings: |
Shetland ponies may be any colour known in horses except spotted. |
Coat: |
A double coat in winter with guard hairs which shed the rain and keep the pony's skin completely dry in the worst of the weather and, in summer a short coat which should carry a beautiful silky sheen. At all times the mane and tail hair should be long, straight and profuse. |
Head: |
The head should be small, and in proportion. Ears should be small and erect, wide set but pointing well forward. Forehead should be broad with bold, dark, intelligent eyes. Muzzle must be broad with nostrils wide and open. Teeth and jaw must be correct. |
Body: |
The neck should be properly set onto the shoulder, which in turn should be sloping, not upright, and end in a well defined wither. The body should be strong, with plenty of heart room, well sprung ribs, the loin strong and muscular. The quarters should be broad and long with the tail set well up on them. |
Forelegs: |
These should have good, flat bone. Strong forearm. Short balanced cannon bone. Springy pasterns. |
Hindlegs: |
The thighs should be strong and muscular with well-shaped strong hocks. When viewed from behind, the hindlegs should not be set too widely apart, nor should the hocks be turned in. |
Feet: |
Tough, round and well shaped. |
Action: |
Straight, free action using every joint. Tracking up well. |
General: |
A most salient and essential feature of the Shetland pony is its general air of vitality (presence), stamina and robustness. |
*References:
- The Shetland Pony Stud-Book Society, Scotland
- Shetland Pony Society of North America
- The Encyclopedia of Horses & Ponies. Tamsin Pickeral.
Shetland Pony Breeders
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