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Some history …
The Shetland Ponies come from the Shetland Isles, the Orkney Isles and the other small isles in the north of Scotland.
On these isles, they were obliged to
withstand severe circumstances, a harsh area and sparing food. By this
heavy past, the Shetland Pony is an extraordinary sober animal that up to on the day of
today is able to build nutricial reserves with sparing feeding. As a
result of the hard living conditions, they have an enormous
strength, vitality and extraordinary adaptability. It explains probably
as well why these ponies have such a small figure. They preserved,
better then other horse races, the characteristics of their ancesters.
Probably, the Shetland Ponies came more than 10,000 years ago from Scandinavia to the area of the Scottish islands. Thousands of years ago, prior to the moment the British islands came loose of the continent during the last ice age, a primitive type of horse allready lived in these regions. Approximately 1000 years before Christ, in the bronze time, people built the first boats which were large enough for the transport of cattle. Other types of horses, with a Scandinavian origin, have probably been introduced at that time on the islands.
The size of a Shetland Pony amounts to maximum 107 cm. The size of most of the Shetland Ponies in the Belgian Stud-Book amounts however to less than 85 cm. These ponies are thus one of the smallest pony races in the world.
In proportion to its size, this small pony
from the Shetland Islands is the strongest of all horse races in the
world. The Shetland Pony performed its work as draught- and charge
animal in an effortless way over the harsh area on the farms located on the highlands. In the course of centuries, the Shetland Ponies
have been exported from Scotland to Great Britain and the rest of Europe.
In the 19th century, upon the starting development of the coal industry and after the introduction of a law prohibiting child- and woman labour in the mines, the Shetland Ponies were sent as draught animals in the coal mines.
Nowadays the Shetland Pony has evolved to a show-horse and pet. The somewhat larger ponies are still used as small riding-horse.
The characteristics …
A typical Shetland Pony has a small head with small ears, expressive eyes and large nose breaches as a result of which cold air can be warmed up before occuring in the lungs. The back is short and the loins are broad. The legs have joints which are clearly outlined, the limbs are strong and short. The Shetland Ponies have small, straight and regular paces. The abundant mane, thick tail and winter fleece protect him against the most severe circumstances.
In case the Shetland Ponies wouldn't have had such a gentle character, they wouldn't have been able to survive in the mines. They can adapt everywhere and join themselves without struggling to the most difficult circumstances. Nevertheless, if it ends them up this way, they can be really obstinate!