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Shetland ponies, also known as shelts, are small (on average up to 42 inches to the wither) but strong for their size. Ancient equids had lived in Shetland since the Bronze Age, and later breeders crossed them with ponies imported by Norse invaders. The islanders domesticated the resulting Shetland ponies.
History of the Shetland
The Shetland Pony originated from the Shetland Islands - North East of Scotland - and the Orkney Islands. The ancient ponies' roots are unknown, though it is believed that they are related to the ancient Scandinavian ponies from when the islands were joined with Scandinavia (up until 8000 BC). They were probably influenced by the Celtic Pony, taken by the Celts between 2000 and 1000 BC. The harsh climate and scarce food developed the ponies into extremely hardy animals.
They were first used for carrying peat and ploughing. Then, in the mid-19th century, when laws were passed prohibiting children from working in coal mines, thousands of Shetlands travelled to Mainland Britain to be 'pit ponies,' working underground their whole lives hauling coal. The United States mid-west coal mines also imported some of these animals.
The Shetland Pony Stud Book Society was started in 1890 to maintain purity and encourage high-quality animals. In 1956, 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 and are also featured in the Shetland Pony Grand National, galloping around the course with their young jockeys.
Breed characteristics
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 hardy and strong due to the fact that the breed evolved in the harsh conditions of the Shetland Islands. Even today, they survive in rain, strong wind, snow, very cold temperatures, and rough terrain. 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, grey, palomino, dun, roan, cream, champagne and pangaré. They should not be 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. In America, a more refined Shetland Pony has been bred over the past 150 years. American Shetland Ponies often have long thin "hooky" neck, a more refined body, and longer legs. A short broad back and deep girth are universal characteristics as are a springy stride. Shetlands have long thick manes and tails and a dense double winter coat to withstand harsh weather.
Shetland Ponies are generally gentle, good-tempered (though they can be snappy), and very intelligent by nature. Due in part to their intelligence and size, they are easily spoiled and can be very headstrong if not well-trained, and can make good children's ponies, but can be very cheeky.
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 in not a true Shetland Pony but the so called "American Shetland". It's that crossbreeding that has produced the extremely refined body style, hooky necked, longer headed ponies.
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"Shetland pony"