Shetland pony
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Shetland ponies are small horses, that are very strong for their size. They range in size from a minimum height of approximately 28 inches to an official maximum height of 42 inches (10.2 hh, 107 cm) at the withers. Shetland ponies have heavy coats, short legs and are considered quite intelligent. They are a very strong breed or pony, used both for riding and pack purposes, and are noted for being able to pull considerable weight.
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[edit] History
The Shetland Pony originated from the Shetland Islands, located northeast of mainland Scotland. Ancient equids had lived in the Shetland Islands since the Bronze Age, and while the roots of the ancient wild pony are unknown, it is believedthat 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.[citation needed] 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 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.
Today, Shetlands are used as children's ponies, are shown in harness classes, and are also featured in the Shetland Pony Grand National, galloping around a racecourse with their young jockeys.
[edit] Characteristics
Shetland Ponies are hardy and strong due to the fact that the breed evolved in the harsh conditions of the Shetland Islands. They are possibly the strongest breed relative to their size, and one of the toughest breeds of pony in the world. They are also especially long-lived.
Shetlands can be almost every colour, including Skewbald and Piebald (called Pinto in the United States), but are mainly black, chestnut, bay, brown, gray, palomino, dun, roan, cremello, silver dapple, champagne and pangare. Registered shetlands are not leopard spotted (appaloosa).
In appearance, Shetlands have a small head, sometimes with a dished face, wide spaced eyes and small, alert ears. The original breed has a short, muscular neck, compact, stocky bodies, and short, strong legs and a shorter than normal cannon bone in relation to their size. A short broad back and deep girth are universal characteristics as is a springy stride. Shetlands have long thick manes and tails and a dense double winter coat to withstand harsh weather.
In America, a more refined Shetland Pony has been bred over the past 150 years and has become popular as a harness pony. These American Shetland Ponies often have a long thin "hooky" neck, a more refined body, and longer legs. However, the compact "classic" type of Shetland is still more prevalent in overall numbers in the USA, though such ponies are not always registered.
Shetland ponies are generally gentle, good-tempered (though they can become impatient and snappy if poorly handled), and very intelligent by nature. They make good children's ponies, but can be very opinionated or "cheeky," and, if not handled properly, can be flat-out stubborn. Due in part to their intelligence and size, they are easily spoiled and can be very headstrong if not well-trained.
[edit] Standards in the USA and the UK
There are two main registries for Shetland ponies, the Shetland Pony Stud Book Society (SPSBS) based in UK, and the American Shetland Pony Club (ASPC) based in the USA. Shetland ponies registered with the SPSB cannot be taller than 42" at maturity. ASPC Shetlands range in height from about 30"(rare) to 46" (the breed is measured in inches, not in hands). There is now another blossoming registry for Shetland Ponies in America, the Shetland Pony Society of North America which has been formed to honor the traditional Shetland Pony of island type. Any pony registered with the American, British, or Canadian registry can be registered if it meets the pedigree and conformation standards of the SPSNA.
Shetland ponies are found worldwide, though mainly in the UK and North America. In general, UK ponies tend to preserve more of the original characteristics of the breed and are often stockier than their American cousins. Many, but not all, of the American Shetland Ponies are crossbred to Hackney Ponies resulting not in a true Shetland Pony but in the so-called "American Shetland." It's this crossbreeding that has produced the extremely refined body style, hooky-necked, longer headed ponies.
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