Shetland

The Shetland (also called the Sheltie) is a small, hardy pony from the Shetland Islands of Scotland. It is known for its strength, its dense coat and its ability to thrive in harsh climates.

A Shetland may stand up to 107 cm (42 in) at the withers. It has a small head, widely spaced eyes and small, alert ears, with a short muscular neck, a compact stocky body and short strong legs. The back is short and broad, the girth is deep and the stride is springy. The mane and tail are long and thick, and the winter coat is dense and double-layered.

Shetlands can be any known horse coat colour other than spotted. Today they are used for driving and as children's riding ponies, and a few still do traditional work on the islands.

Small horses have been kept in the Shetland Islands, northeast of mainland Scotland, since the Bronze Age. Islanders probably later crossed this native stock with ponies imported by Norse settlers. The Celtic pony, brought by settlers between 2000 and 1000 BC, probably also played a part. The harsh climate and scarce food shaped them into extremely hardy animals.

They were first used for pulling carts and for carrying peat and seaweed in kishies, as well as for ploughing. In the mid-nineteenth century, as the Industrial Revolution increased the need for coal, thousands were taken to mainland Britain to work as pit ponies hauling coal underground, often for their whole, frequently shortened, lives. Some also went to coal mines in the eastern United States, where the last mine using them closed in 1971.

The Shetland Pony Stud-Book Society was started in 1890 to maintain purity and encourage high-quality animals. In 1957 the Shetland Islands Premium Stallion Scheme began subsidising high-quality registered stallions. Several breeds derive from the Shetland, including the American Shetland Pony, the Pony of the Americas and the Deutsches Classic Pony.

Shetlands are strong and hardy, in part because they developed in the harsh conditions of their home islands. Their ability to cross many kinds of difficult terrain has kept them useful for work such as carrying peat in large saddlebags, even in an age of mechanised farming.

They are widely seen with children, in riding schools and stables, at shows and at fairs giving short rides. They are also used at petting zoos and sometimes for therapeutic riding.

The breed is long-lived, and this is the main health point the breed description makes. Their hardiness comes in part from the harsh conditions in which they developed, and their dense double winter coat helps them withstand severe weather.

This is general awareness only, not veterinary advice. Always consult a vet about your pet's health.

What is a Shetland pony?

It is a small, hardy breed from the Shetland Islands of Scotland, also called the Sheltie. It stands up to 107 cm (42 in) at the withers and has a thick mane, tail and double winter coat.

How long do Shetland ponies live?

The breed is described as long-lived. No exact lifespan figure is given.

What are Shetland ponies used for?

Today they are used for driving and as children's riding ponies. They also appear at shows, riding schools, fairs and petting zoos, and a few still carry peat on the islands.

What colours do Shetland ponies come in?

They may be any known horse coat colour other than spotted.

Why were Shetland ponies used in mines?

Thousands were taken to mainland Britain from the mid-nineteenth century as demand for coal grew.

Shetlands have a shorter-than-normal cannon bone for their size.

The UK has a Shetland Pony Grand National, in which young jockeys gallop around a racecourse.

On the islands, ponies once carried peat and seaweed in kishies.

Miniature Shetlands have been trained as guide animals in the same role as guide dogs.

The breed society was started in 1890.