STANDARD AND MINIATURE SHETLAND PONIES

 SHETLAND PONY FACTS SHEET

Shetland Ponies can make a wonderful addition to a family.  We are pleased to provide you with some information regarding the breed and their care requirements.

The Shetland Pony originated in the Shetland Isles, located northeast of mainland Scotland. Small horses have been kept on the Shetland Isles since the Bronze Age.  Shetland ponies also were probably influenced by the Celtic Pony, brought to the islands by the Celts between 2000 and 1000 BC.  With their short legs and sturdy build, Shetlands are believed to be the strongest known horse by strength to weight ratio.

Shetland ponies were first used for pulling carts, carrying peat, coal and other items, and ploughing farmland.   Shetland Pony breeding over thousands of years ensured that they developed into tough little horses, able to carry very heavy loads.  

A Shetland pony by breed standards must not exceed 10.2 hands. One hand is equal to 10cms which roughly equates to one adults hand size.  A miniature pony by AMPS standards must not measure more than 87cms. Height is measured at the highest point of the withers.
 

SHETLAND PONY BREED TEMPERAMENT

The Shetland Pony is a versatile and hardy pony. Shetland ponies are generally gentle, good tempered, and very intelligent by nature. They make excellent pets and are sometimes noted for having a "brave" character. 

However, they can be very determined and require proper handling. Because of their small stature, many people over indulge Shetlands which can lead to bad habits being formed. As with any breed of horse, behaviour is influenced by the quality of human handling and discipline given by their owners. 

Shetland ponies are easy to train and are a popular first horse for young children. They teach children how to care for the pony (handling) and basic riding skills.

Most country towns and inner metropolitan suburbs have a pony club. For new horse owners this club provides valuable assistance and contacts to help you with bettering your pony skills.

See Shetland Pony links page for more information. 

Shetlands are used as children's riding ponies, are shown by adults and children in led classes, ridden events, harness classes as well as for pleasure driving outside of the show ring.

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.  Locally at Yea Racecourse they have an annual Shetland race. It's usually on St Patrick's Day meet.

SHETLAND PONY APPEARANCE

Shetlands are to have a strong head in balance with their body. Their eyes are large dominant with small alert ears.

The original Shetland Pony 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 full manes and tails. They grow a thick double coat in winter to withstand the harsh weather, their summer coat should be smooth and shiny in appearance.

In the pure bred Shetland Pony, black is the foundation colour with black/ brown, grey, brown, bay, chestnut, palomino, buckskin, piebald and skewbald. White stars, socks, stripes, blazes and snips are all acceptable.

 EQUINE TERMINOLOGY

A Foal is a horse of either sex less than one year old. A nursing foal is sometimes called a suckling and a foal that has been weaned is called a weanling. Most domesticated foals are weaned at 5 to 7 months of age. A Yearling is a horse of either sex that is between one and two years old.  A Colt is a male horse under the age of four. A Filly is a female horse under the age of four. A mature male Shetland Pony is called a stallion, the female a mare. A stallion used for breeding is known as a stud. A castrated stallion is commonly called a gelding.   

SHOWING SHETLAND PONIES

When shown as a representative of their Breed, the Shetland Pony must be shown in natural coat and full feather. Shetlands must not be clipped or dyed.

SHETLAND PONIES DIET AND CREATURE COMFORTS

Shetlands are generally easier and more economical to keep than other ponies and horses.

Shetlands have survived for centuries in the demanding conditions of the homeland they originated from by adapting to their environment as efficiently as possible.

They are able to keep warm, to maintain their weight easily and can thrive on poor, rough grazing and readily find shelter. 

A  happy, healthy Shetland Pony is one that has plenty of space in which to graze, is not kept stabled and is not fed too rich a diet.

 SHETLAND PONY LIFE SPAN

Horses commonly live to be 25 - 35 years old, and horse ages translate into human ages almost linearly, but with major differences in age equivalents. 

Baby horses mature at a rate far faster than humans, reaching pony puberty by age two.  By the time a horse reaches the age of 36 years it is the equivalent of 100 years in human terms.   It's not unusual for Shetland ponies to live more than thirty years.

SHETLAND PONY LINKS PAGES

Please feel free to consult our SHETLAND PONY links section which will direct you to various other sites that have information regarding Shetlands.  The sites we have chosen to include are of quality and good content.  If you would like to add your site to our links pages, please email us and we will review for inclusion.

SHETLAND PONY SALES

If you are interested in purchasing a Shetland Pony from us or to breed from our Stallion standing at Stud to approved mares, please feel free to contact us with your enquiries.  We look forward to hearing from you. Please consult our SHETLAND PONY SALES sales page for further information.

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SHETLAND PONY FACTS SHEET ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

We hope you gained benefit from the information supplied in our SHETLAND PONY FACTS SHEET.  You might wish to consult the following links for other sites that provide SHETLAND information.

Encyclopedia.com Shetland Pony Facts Sheet         Burke's Backyard Shetland Pony Facts Sheet

Should you encounter any difficulties with accessing information on our  Shetland Pony site please report to our webmaster. 

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