Shetland Pony

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The Shetland pony originates from the Shetland Isles, from where the pony’s name is derived.

Summary

The modern day Shetland pony is a popular child’s pony. The Shetland pony is generally an intelligent, kind pony and has a gentle nature.Taking into account the Shetland pony’s small size, it is the strongest of all horse or pony breeds. The Shetland pony is extremely strong and hardy; this is a result of the harsh environment in which the Shetland pony has developed.

Characteristics

The Shetland pony is renowned for being a small pony; a fully grown a Shetland pony that stands between 34 to 42 inches is known a standard, a pony that is smaller than 32 inches is known as a miniature. The Shetland pony can be any colour, except spotted.

History

Small ponies have inhabited the Shetland Isle since the Bronze Age. The Shetland pony’s exact origins are unknown, but the Shetland pony is thought to be connected to the early Scandinavian pony; the Shetland Isles and Scandinavia where once attached.

The Shetland pony was once used for general agricultural work. When the Shetland pony was replaced by mechanisation, hundreds of ponies where imported to mainland Britain. The Shetland pony was used as a “pit pony”. The Shetland ponies were taken underground in to the coal pits, their job was to help transport the coal by pulling the carts.

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