Shetland pony: Difference between revisions
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Shetland is best pony. |
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{{Use British English|date=October 2011}} |
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{{Infobox Horse |
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|name= Shetland Pony |
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|status = DOM |
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|image=289-o-Galant-SWE-71-SH-03.jpg |
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|image_caption= A Shetland pony shown in Europe |
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|altname= Shetland |
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|country= [[Shetland Islands]], [[United Kingdom]] |
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|group1= <!--UK Shetland pony registry name and URL needed--> |
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|group2=<!--USA and other national registry names and URLs needed--> |
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|std1= <!--link to breed standard page for group 1 registry--> |
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|std2=<!--link to breed standard page for group 2 registry--> |
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|features = Intelligent, small size, sturdy build, thick coat, compact and strong. American subtype more refined with longer legs and finer coat |
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|}} |
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The '''Shetland pony''' is a [[list of horse breeds|breed]] of [[pony]] originating in the [[Shetland Isles]]. Shetlands range in size from a minimum height of approximately 28 inches (71 cm) to an official maximum height of 11 hands high (107 cm) at the [[withers]] (11.2 hands for American Shetlands). Shetland ponies have heavy coats, short legs and are considered quite intelligent. They are a very strong breed of pony, used for riding, driving, and pack purposes. |
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==History== |
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[[Image:Shetland ponies ca 1900.jpg|thumb|left|Two women of the Shetland Isles with ponies: photograph taken about 1900]] |
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Shetland ponies originated in the [[Shetland Isles]], located northeast of mainland [[Scotland]]. Small [[horse]]s have been kept on the Shetland Isles since the [[Bronze Age]].{{Citation needed|date=September 2009}} People who lived on the islands probably later crossed the native stock with ponies imported by [[Norsemen|Norse]] settlers.{{Citation needed|date=September 2009}} Shetland ponies also were probably influenced by the Celtic Pony, brought to the islands by settlers between 2000 and 1000 BCE.{{Citation needed|date=September 2009}} The harsh climate and scarce food developed the ponies into extremely hardy animals. |
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Shetland ponies were first used for pulling [[cart]]s, carrying [[peat]], [[coal]] and other items, and plowing farm land. Then, as the [[Industrial Revolution]] increased the need for coal in the mid-19th century, thousands of Shetland ponies traveled to mainland Britain to be [[Pit pony|pit ponies]], working underground hauling coal, often for their entire (often short) lives. Coal mines in the eastern United States also imported some of these animals. The last pony mine in the United States closed in 1971.<ref>''The Last Pony Mine'', a documentary film, Les Benedict, director, Steve Knudston, producer, 1972. Available on Youtube in 3 parts [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O0NZRSDoqCk part 1][http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsbS4y8vIFU part 2][http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t80NFheqwfo part 3]</ref> |
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The Shetland Pony Stud-Book Society<ref name=SPSBS>{{cite web|url=http://www.shetlandponystudbooksociety.co.uk/ |title=Shetland Pony Stud Book Society |publisher=Shetland Pony Stud Book Society |date= |accessdate=2011-12-16}}</ref> of the United Kingdom was started in 1890 to maintain purity and encourage high-quality animals. In 1957, the Shetland Islands Premium Stallion Scheme was formed to subsidize high-quality registered stallions to improve the breeding stock. |
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==Uses== |
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[[Image:Shetland Pony in Harness and Cart.gif|thumb|A Shetland pony in harness.]] |
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[[File:Shetland Pony Grand National, Somerley Park - geograph.org.uk - 1143202.jpg|thumb|Shetland pony "Grand National" in the UK]] |
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Today, Shetlands are ridden by children and are shown by both children and adults at [[horse show]]s in [[Driving (horse)|harness driving]] classes as well as for pleasure driving outside of the show ring. Shetlands are ridden by small children at horse shows, in riding schools and for pleasure. They are seen working in commercial settings such as [[fair]]s or [[traveling carnival|carnival]]s to provide short rides for visitors. They are also seen at petting zoos and sometimes are used for [[therapeutic horseback riding]] purposes. In the United Kingdom, Shetlands are also featured in the Shetland Pony Grand National, galloping around a racecourse with young jockeys. |
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Junior Harness Racing was founded in [[Queensland]] by a group of breeders to give young people age 6 - 16 an opportunity to obtain a practical introduction to the harness racing industry. The children have the opportunity to drive Shetland ponies in harness under race conditions. No prize money is payable on pony races, although winners and place-getters receive medallions.<ref>{{cite web|author=Perfect Web Site Designs |url=http://www.justracing.com.au/harness.php?catid=4 |title=Just Racing |publisher=Just Racing |date= |accessdate=2011-12-16}}</ref> |
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Miniature Shetlands have been trained as [[guide horse]]s to take the same role as [[guide dogs]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/nottinghamshire/2954170.stm |title=UK | England | Nottinghamshire | Ponies to guide the blind |publisher=BBC News |date=2003-06-01 |accessdate=2011-12-16}}</ref> This task is also performed by other [[miniature horse]] breeds. |
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==Characteristics== |
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[[Image:Papilponies.jpg|left|thumb|200px|Shetland ponies grazing near Papil, [[West Burra]], [[Shetland Islands]]]] |
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Shetland Ponies are hardy and strong, in part because the breed developed in the harsh conditions of the Shetland Isles. In appearance, Shetlands have a small head, sometimes with a dished face, widely-spaced eyes and small and 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. A short broad back and deep girth are universal characteristics as is a springy stride. Shetlands have long thick manes and tails and a dense double winter coat to withstand harsh weather. Different [[breed registry|breed registries]] have different height standards, but the outside ranges are between 7 and 11.2 [[hand (length)|hands]] ({{convert|28|to|46|in|cm|0}}). |
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[[Image:Shetland pony 1.jpg|thumb|A classic image of an ideal Shetland pony, [[Nordisk familjebok]] (Swedish encyclopedia), circa 1904-1926.]] |
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Shetlands can be almost every [[equine coat color|colour]], including [[skewbald]] and [[piebald]] (called [[Pinto horse|pinto]] in the United States), but are mainly [[black (horse)|black]], [[chestnut (coat)|chestnut]], [[bay (color)|bay]], [[gray (horse)|grey]], [[palomino]], [[dun (color)|dun]], [[roan (horse)|roan]], [[cremello]], and [[Silver dapple gene|silver dapple.]] Registered shetlands are not [[Leopard complex|leopard]] spotted ([[Appaloosa]]), nor do they carry the [[champagne gene]], though these colours are sometimes seen in Shetland-sized crossbreds. |
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Shetland ponies are generally gentle, good-tempered, and very intelligent by nature. They make good children's ponies, and are sometimes noted for having a "brave" character, but can be very opinionated or "cheeky", and can be impatient, snappy, and sometimes become uncooperative. Due in part to their intelligence and size, they are easily spoiled and can be very headstrong if not well-trained. |
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[[File:DPAG-1997-Jugend-Shetlandpony.jpg|thumb|left|Shetland ponies on a German stamp]] |
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For its size, the Shetland is the strongest of all horse and pony breeds{{Citation needed|date=August 2011}}. It can pull twice its own weight under circumstances where a [[draft horse]] can only pull approximately half its own weight, as well as many being able to carry up to 9 stone – {{Convert|130|lb|kg}}. 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. |
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Many ponies are long-lived, it is not unusual for a Shetland pony to live more than 30 years. Conversely, their small size also predisposes some individuals to a greater probability of heart problems than in larger animals, on occasion leading to early death. Shetland ponies, like many hardy small horse and pony breeds, can easily develop [[laminitis]] if on a diet high in non-structural carbohydrates. Therefore owners must pay careful attention to [[equine nutrition|nutrition]], being careful to regulate feed quantity and type. |
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==The American Shetland== |
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[[Image:ClassicAmericanPonyMareSonarasRocketteSox.JPG |thumb|An American Shetland, showing finer bone and more of a "horse" [[phenotype]].]] |
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The first Shetland ponies for which there are written records were imported to the [[United States]] in 1885 by Eli Elliot. These ponies provided the foundation stock for the development of the American Shetland, and were crossed with ponies of other breeds, including the [[Hackney pony]], [[Welsh pony]], and Harness Show Pony. The breeding of the ponies was mainly centered in Indiana, Illinois and Iowa. |
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In 1888, the American Shetland Pony Club was formed and now has two studbooks: Division A and Division B. Division A registers ponies with 12.5% or less outcross (non-Shetland) blood, and Division B is open to any pony with 12.5% or more outcross blood. Foundation Certification is also available for ponies from 4 generations of Division A breeding. As of 2009 A and B designations are no longer on Registrations. |
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[[File:Shetland-pony-minessm.jpg|thumb|left|Shetland pony and miner in Virginia]] |
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American Shetland Ponies are more refined than the traditional Shetland. They often have a long, thin, "hooky" neck, a more refined body, and longer legs. The breed tends to be long and narrow through the back, with broad and muscular hindquarters and high withers. The shoulder has good slope, allowing for extravagant action. These ponies are most often used for harness work and as children's ponies. They can be seen [[show jumping]] in classes for young riders, at [[horse show]]s in both [[Western riding|Western]] and [[English riding]] classes, as well as many other competitive events, including [[Gymkhana (Equestrian)|gymkhana]], novelty [[harness racing]], and shown at [[halter (horse show)|halter]], Costume. |
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The American Shetland Pony Club recognizes four types of Shetlands-Modern, Pleasure, Classic and Foundation. Modern Shetland are typically the tallest of the breed; they are shown with a high head set, ribbon braids in their manes, tail sets and have high stepping action. Pleasure ponies have similar breeding though their action is more subdued. Classic Shetlands are the most typical type and are known for their refinement and gentle nature while lacking most of the action of the Modern ponies. Finally, Foundation ponies do not have any Hackney influence for four generations and are all under 42" tall. Their looks are most reflective of their British ancestry. |
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However, the compact "classic" type of Shetland is still more prevalent in overall numbers in the USA, though such ponies are not always registered. |
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==Standards in the USA and the UK== |
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[[File:Dusty Trail.jpg|thumb|Traditional Shetland pony under saddle in Europe]] |
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There are several major registries for Shetland ponies, the Shetland Pony Stud-Book Society<ref name=SPSBS/> (SPSBS) based in UK, American Shetland Pony Club<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.shetlandminiature.com/ |title=ASPC & AMHR Website |publisher=Shetlandminiature.com |date= |accessdate=2011-12-16}}</ref> (ASPC), and the Shetland Pony Society of North America<ref>{{cite web|author=Posted by Laurie D. |url=http://www.shetlandponysociety.com/ |title=Shetland Pony Society of North America |publisher=Shetlandponysociety.com |date=2011-06-01 |accessdate=2011-12-16}}</ref> (SPSNA), both based in the USA. Shetland ponies registered with the SPSBS 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 [[hand (unit)|hands]]). The Shetland Pony Society of North America was formed to honor the traditional Shetland Pony of island type. Any pony registered with other American, British, or Canadian registries can be cross-registered if it meets the pedigree and conformation standards of the SPSNA<!--which are...?-->. |
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==See also== |
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*[[Shetland animal breeds]] |
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*[[List of domesticated Scottish breeds]] |
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*[[List of horse breeds]] |
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*[[Pony]] |
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*[[Mountain and moorland pony breeds]] |
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==References== |
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{{reflist}} |
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==External links== |
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{{Commons|Shetland pony}} |
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*[http://www.shetlandponystudbooksociety.co.uk/ The Shetland Pony Stud-Book Society] |
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*[http://www.shetlandponybreeders.com/ Pony Breeders of Shetland Association] |
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*[http://imh.org/index.php?option=com_flexicontent&view=items&cid=193:europe&id=2193:shetland-pony&Itemid=252 "Shetland Pony", from International Museum of the Horse] |
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*[http://shetlandponysociety.com Shetland Pony Society of North America] |
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*[http://www.shetlandminiature.com/ American Shetland Pony Club's home website] |
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[[Category:Horse breeds originating in Scotland]] |
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[[Category:Horse breeds]] |
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[[Category:Fauna of Shetland]] |
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[[Category:Shetland animal breeds]] |
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{{Equine|state=collapsed}} |
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[[als:Shetlandpony]] |
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[[ca:Poni de les Shetland]] |
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[[cs:Shetlandský pony]] |
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[[da:Shetlandspony]] |
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[[de:Shetlandpony]] |
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[[nv:Łį́į́chilí]] |
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[[et:Šetlandi poni]] |
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[[es:Poni de las Shetland]] |
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[[fa:پونی شتلند]] |
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[[fo:Hetlandsross]] |
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[[fr:Shetland (cheval)]] |
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[[id:Poni Shetland]] |
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[[it:Shetland (cavallo)]] |
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[[he:פוני שטלנד]] |
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[[lv:Šetlandes ponijs]] |
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[[hu:Shetlandi póni]] |
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[[nl:Shetlandpony]] |
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[[no:Shetlandsponni]] |
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[[nn:Shetlandsponni]] |
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[[pnb:شٹلینڈ پونی]] |
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[[pl:Kuc szetlandzki]] |
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[[ru:Шетландский пони]] |
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[[sk:Shetlandský pony]] |
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[[fi:Shetlanninponi]] |
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[[sv:Shetlandsponny]] |
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[[chy:Tooxo'hamëso]] |
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Revision as of 07:33, 7 September 2012
Shetland is best pony.