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The Shetland Pony

Height
Miniature Shetlands under 34”.
Standard Shetlands over 34” to 42”.

Colour
Any colour, except spotted.

Build
Body should be strong, with good depth and well sprung ribs; quarters should be broad and long with tail set high. Shoulder should be strong and sloping, the neck of medium length and well set. Head should be small neat, broad across the forehead, with small ears and large nostils.
Legs should be strong, short in the cannon with plenty of dense flat bone, the feet well shaped and tough. Mane and tail should be thick, full and flowing.

Movement
Straight and free from the hocks and shoulder.

Trimming rules for showing
Ponies should be natural, with manes and tails long and flowing. Jawline and end of tail may be trimmed, working ponies may be body clipped only.

History
The Shetland Pony is native to the Shetland Islands, of Northern Scotland. Archaeological findings suggest there were ponies on Shetland as far back as 300AD, two carved stones of this era were found depicting monks on horseback. The ponies were of similar size to modern day Shetland ponies. Whether the Shetland pony is indigenous or not is unclear; it is without doubt one of the oldest Native breeds, and thanks to the isolation of the Shetland Islands, one of the purest.
The Shetland ponys size has been defined by the harsh climate and limited shelter of Shetland's craggy moorlands.

In the early 1700s, Shetland ponies were caught and tamed. Used by the Islanders, on farms by Crofters; general duties were hauling seaweed from the shores, then transportation of goods to and from market. Carrying peat from the bogs using a 'klibber'; a specially constructed saddle in which to attach baskets, the Shetland pony helped the islanders find fuel.

The Industrial revolution of the 1800s saw the introduction of the mines act, in 1847; it prohibited women and children from working the mines. The Shetland pony's ability to carry heavy loads in relation to their small size meant they were the ideal replacement.

Towards the end of the 1800s, numbers of Shetland ponies were dwindling.

The quality and size of the ponies was rapidly decreasing as demand for quality ponies, mainly stallions for use in the mines, increased. Many were exported to America for work in their mining industry. At this time, the Shetland Pony Stud book Society was formed, with the aim of preserving the breed. The first breed standards drawn up stated that no ponies over 42" were eligible for registration, and all ponies must have a double coat to protect them from the elements.

Their first stud book was published a year later. Some local pony owners were keen to preserve the breed, most notably Lord Londonderry; he founded a stud with his foundation sire Jack, maintaining a successful breeding programme for some years.

Despite the best efforts of the Stud Book Society, the market for Shetlands continued to fluctuate. Breeders still felt pressure to sell their best stock south, as the Shetland was a much sought after pony for the upper classes; both for driving purposes and as mounts for their children.
The Shetland Pony Stud book socitey introduced a Premium Stallion scheme in 1956 to encourage continued breeding of quality stock.

Shetland ponies continued to work in the mines, albeit in greatly diminished numbers, long after mechanisation made much of their work obsolete. Up until the late 1970's, ponies could still be found at isolated underground outposts throughout Britain.

Today, herds of Shetland ponies can be seen roaming free amongst their natural habitat of Shetland. Shetland ponies make ideal childrens ponies, both for the novice rider and the competitive child alike. Shetland ponies excel in many spheres; endurance, gymkhana, and pony club games.
They can certainly hold their own in the show ring up against the larger breeds.
The highlight of the year for every Shetland pony enthusiast is the The Shetland Pony Grand National, the final of which is held at the Olympia show jumping championships at Christmas.

Breed Society
http://www.shetlandponystudbooksociety.co.uk/

Did you know?
The Queen's first pony was a Shetland pony.
Called Peggy, it was a gift from her grandfather, King George V.

The Breed Society heads the International Shetland Pony Committee, formed between 1992 and 1999. During this time twelve daughter Societies were added from Australia, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Netherlands, Norway, Poland.

Shetland ponies have a prominent nasal cavity which warms freezing air before it enters the lungs.

The earliest written reference to a Shetland pony came from the Court Books of Shetland.
In 1603, there stated laws prohibiting a man from riding another man's pony without permission,
or cutting its tail; at this time, Horse tail hair was commonly used for fishng lines.

Now a traditional feature of Olympia, the Shetland Pony Grand National first appeared at the show in 1982.

A story of bravery from the mines concerned a Shetland pony named Ben.
On one occasion, Ben refused to join in with his driver's lunchtime sandwiches, which he usually shared happily. Standing instead a little distance away, pawing the ground with his foot.
At first the driver ignored him; when Ben became more restless, starting to whinny and then back away, he decided to follow the pony. Almost immediately, the roof collapsed at the very spot where he had been sitting.

In the film Racing Stripes, the bay Shetland pony, Tucker, voiced by Dustin Hoffman, had to have a make up artist on standby as parts of his coat were turning grey during filming.

Time line
1888 - The American Shetland Pony Club formed.
1890 - Shetland pony stud book society formed.
1891 - The first stud book was published.
1956 - Implementation of the Shetland Islands Premium Stallion scheme.

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