Shetland Pony Miniature Horse Breeds Profile Standard

(Last Updated On: October 8, 2021)

If you learn to ride horses at an early age, there is a good chance you can get started on the back of Shetland Pony, which is a mix of Shetland.

Although short, Shetland Pony is strong, intelligent, gentle, and somewhat drunk.

There is no controversy on the clever factor, but don’t let that fool you. These are powerful little ponies that are capable of stopping the largest draft horse.

Shetland ponies may be nice for youngsters and make terrific outdoor pets if you keep in mind that they are horses and take proper care of them. They are clever, loyal, and like company, making them excellent child buddies.

The cost of a Shetland pony ranges from $500 to $3,000. Champion show horses and premier breeding stallions may fetch upwards of $4,000.

The minimum age to ride a Shetland pony at Shetland Pony Club is 2 years and 6 months. The bigger Standards Shetland ponies may be ridden by children until they are around 12 years old. Shetland ponies provide a decade of entertainment for youngsters aged 212 to 12.

Shetland pony is a horse breed that is popular as a pet and rides for children. The breed originated in the Shetland Islands, Scotland, and is suited to the severe environment and limited food supplies of the islands. Shetlands were employed as pack horses before being sent to England in the 1850s to labor in coal mines.

Shetland Pony Breed overview

Weight: 400 to 450 lbs

Height: 7 hands (28 inches) to 11.5 hands (46 inches)

Body type: compact body; Wide head Thick neck; Short legs Loving Man and Ledge

Best for: Owners and drivers of all levels, including children

Life expectancy: 30 years or more

Shetland Pony History and Origins

The original source for Shetland Pony has been lost time About 3,000 years ago, ponies roamed Scotland’s untouched Shetland Islands.

The Celtic pony was probably pictured in the descent, with a possible cross with the ponies of the Norse settlers.

Strong and strong, the Shetland Pony is used for plowing and plow farming, among other things.

During the Industrial Revolution, breeds of Shetland Pony were taken to the mines to lift coal. They become popular companions for kids for their gentle nature and size.

The Shetland Pony Study-Book Society was formed in 1890 to register and monitor the breed. The American Shetland Pony Club registers ponies in the United States.

Shetland pony size

Registered Shetland Pony breeds are a maximum of 10.5 hands (42 inches) in the dry place.

In the United States, the American Shetland Pony Club allows ponies up to 11.5 hands (46 inches). The weight of a Shetland pony depends on its height but is usually around 400 to 450 pounds.

Shetland pony breeding and use

In the harsh climate of their homeland, along with scarce food and ill terrain, the Shetland ponies developed into very tough animals.

They have thick coats that help them withstand cold winters and their wide bodies make them exceptionally strong.

In the United States, breeders have refined the ponies with a longer leg for some risk.

These American Shetlands are very sticky and taller than the traditional Tahitian Shetland Potty.

They have been widely used to pull plows, carts, and buggies. And in the 1800s and 1900s, they were known to work in mines in both Britain and the United States.

Now, ponies in Shetland are used for driving (pulling carts, wagons, etc.) and many are children’s companions at horse shows and just as pets. There are still wild flocks in the Shetland Islands.

Colors and Marks

The Shetlands are almost every equine color with pinto combinations (white and any other color patches). However, the registered Shetlands cannot be given a leopard spot like Apollosa.

The most common coat colors include Black, Chestnut, Gray, Teal, Brown, Rowan, Palomino, Buckskin, Right, Cream, and Champagne. Each type of face and foot mark.

The distinctive feature on the Shetland pony

It is said that a Shetland pony can weigh more than Clydesdale for a pound.

In addition to the immense power of their small bodies, the Shetland ponies are known for their long lifespan, with a long life of 30 years.

And, of course, they are highly recognized for their small size. Shetland’s pony is in the background for many other smaller breeds, including the Little Horse, the National and American Show Pony, and the Phablebela Horse.

Diet and Nutrition

It is much easier to overpower the pony in Shetland than unhealthy food.

As the breeders developed in such harsh conditions and had to look for their nutrients, the Shetlands could thrive on very few foods.

Rarely does a shetland require grains or concentrations, which can lead to obesity? Good quality grass straw is ideal for them.

General health and behavioral problems

In general, Shetland ponies have no health issues. However, their size can make them susceptible to heart problems as well as laminitis.

This is an emergency where the hoof is inflamed and there is severe pain. There are many causes of laminitis, including lean grains or grass.

In terms of behavior, the ponies in Shetland are usually friendly and gentle. But these can be somewhat headstrong and helpful, especially if they are not trained.

Grooming

Shetland ponies thrive on very thick, soft winter coats. Often they are the first to “coat up” in autumn and are the last to lose their winter clothing in the spring.

The outer hair is thick and the undercoat is silky soft. They require regular washing, brushing, and teasing standard equine grooming. And their straws should ideally be tested daily for dirt, debris, and any injuries.

Pros

Strong and strong

Good with kids

Intelligent

Cons

Sometimes stubborn

There is a tendency for laminitis

Champion and Celebrity Shetland Ponies

The longevity of Shetty’s pony is the result of several claims by Tony, the world’s oldest. For example, a pony named Twiglet passed away in 2017 at the age of 50.

These ponies also spent their time on the silver screen.

In a Disney movie called “The Littlest Horse Theory” in The6, three kids planned to steal a mine from a mine when they learned that the miners were mechanical because the mine was mechanical. It goes along with the real-life history of Shetland at the mine.

Is the Shetland Pony right for you?

Even fun Shetland ponies are good for owners and riders of all experience levels, including families with children, although they can be tough and require consistent training. Since they are so strong and fairly independent, they are easy to care for.

They do well in cold, angry climates, as in their native Shetland Islands. But owners must pay attention to their nutrition and avoid over-feeding, which can lead to laminitis and obesity, among other health problems.

How to Take or Buy a Shetland Pony

The average price for a pony in Shetland ranges from about $ 500 to $ 1,500. Generally, prices for breeder ponies increase, especially when they can trace their authentic breed.

There are several rescue groups that have the Shetland Pony for adoption.

You should be transparent about the attitude, health status, and history of a quality salvage group or breeder pony. The facility should also be clean and have proper housing for the animals.

You should be able to spend time with your pony before choosing to take it home. Feeling rushed to make a decision can be a red flag that the organization is not in the best interest of the animal.