History of the Shetland

The Shetland Pony originated from the Shetland Islands - North East of Scotland - and the Orkney Islands. The ancient ponies' roots are unknown, though it is believed that they are related to the ancient Scandinavian ponies from when the islands were joined with Scandinavia (up until 8000 BC). They were probably influenced by the Celtic Pony, taken by the Celts between 2000 and 1000 BC. The harsh climate and scarce food developed the ponies into extremely hardy animals.

They were first used for carrying peat and plowing. Then, in the mid-19th century, when laws were passed prohibiting children from working in coal mines, thousands of Shetlands travelled to Mainland Britain to be 'pit ponies,' working underground their whole lives hauling coal. The United States mid-west coal mines also imported some of these animals.

The Shetland Pony Stud Book Society was started in 1890 to maintain purity and encourage high-quality animals. In 1956, the Shetland Islands Premium Stallion Scheme was formed to subsidize high-quality registered stallions to improve the breeding stock.

Today, Shetlands are used as children's ponies and are also featured in the Shetland Pony Grand National, galloping around the course with their young jockeys.

Breed characteristics

There are two main registries for Shetland ponies, the Shetland Pony Stud Book (SPSB) based in UK, and the American Shetland Pony Club (ASPC) based in the USA. Shetland ponies registered with the SPSB cannot be tall than 42". ASPC Shetlands range in height from about 30"(rare) to 46" (the breed is measured in inches, not in hands).

Shetland Ponies are hardy and strong due to the fact that the breed evolved in the harsh conditions of the Shetland Islands. Even today, they survive in rain, strong wind, snow, very cold temperatures, and rough terrain. They are possibly the strongest breed relative to their size, and one of the toughest breeds of pony in the world. They are also especially long-lived.

Shetlands can be almost every color, including Skewbald and Piebald (called Pinto in the United States), but are mainly black, chestnut, bay, brown and grey. They should not be appaloosa.

In appearance, Shetlands have a small head, sometimes with a dished face, wide spaced eyes and small, 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. In America, a more refined Shetland Pony has been bred over the past 150 years. American Shetland Ponies often have long thin "hooky" neck, a more refined body, and longer legs. A short broad back and deep girth are universal characteristics as are a springy stride. Shetlands have long thick manes and tails and a dense double winter coat to withstand harsh weather.

Shetland Ponies are generally gentle, good-tempered, and very intelligent by nature. Due in part to their intelligence and size, they are easily spoiled and can be very headstrong if not well-trained.

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.

The American Shetland Pony Club recognizes two distinct types of Shetland Ponies, the Classic Shetland Pony and the Modern Shetland Pony. In addition, the organization has registries for two types of pony crosses, the American Show Pony and the National Show Pony. In other words, we have a pony suited to almost everyone's needs.

All the small equines in the American Shetland Pony Club share the best attributes of the original Shetland Ponies imported from the Shetland Isles over 120 years ago.

Americans fell in love with Shetland Ponies the minute they arrived and that love affair continues today. In 1888, The American Shetland Pony Club was formed to preserve the bloodlines of the Shetland Pony, while improving and refining the breed. The results are the versatile Shetland Pony we know in America today.

Shetland Ponies are athletic, quick learners and extremely hardy. They generally have excellent hooves. These qualities combined to their endearing dispositions contribute to their ongoing popularity.

The Classic

The Classic American Shetland Ponies ancestry dates back to the Shetland Islands, where ponies roamed the hills and moors of Shetland as early as the 8th and 9th centuries. Shetlands were brought to this country in the 1800's and first registered in the United States in 1888 by the American Shetland Pony Club. The Shetland Pony, having been in the United States for more than 100 years, has been selectively bred for refinement... resulting in a sturdy but elegant pony.

With a maximum height of 46 inches, Shetlands are the perfect starter size pony for a child. Bred to pull ore carts in coal mines in the mid 1800's, Shetlands have retained an innate driving ability. A well-trained Shetland not only excels at driving, but also is a sturdy and reliable mount for any child.

These ponies are hardy and take the same health care as their larger cousins, the horse, only the feed and stabling is in proportionately smaller amounts. Owning a Classic Shetland does not require expensive equipment; your equipment can range from the barest essentials such as simple grooming tools, a halter, bridle and saddle to the equipment necessary for a hitch of work ponies or the elegance of antique carriages. The choice is yours to make. There is a place here for everyone.

There are a wide variety of activities you can enjoy with your Classic Pony. Competition ranges from lead line classes for the small child to the very competitive driving and halter classes for older children and adults.

A pony makes a great, trustworthy childhood companion who will share many adventures expanding your child's imagination. Classic American Shetland Ponies have been used successfully in therapeutic programs for the physically and mentally challenged. Pony Hitches have livened up many a parade and are used regularly in a working environment.

The love and devotion a pony can offer is giant sized. Introduce yourself or your child to the world of the Classic American Shetland Pony by visiting a farm or horse show with Classic Shetlands. Your child will never outgrow the love they have for their pony and neither will you... the Classic American Shetland has an appeal that lasts beyond childhood.

The Classic Shetland is a pony that possesses style and substance. It is more refined then the original imported Shetlands. The Classic Shetland exhibits a well balanced strong, sturdy body in a compact package. The Classic Shetland has a well proportioned body that maintains the strong Shetland constitution; a pony with substance in the chest, body and hindquarters. The short head is clean cut, with a fine muzzle, large nostrils, brilliant eyes, wide forehead and sharp, small well-set ears. The Classic Shetland possesses fineness of throat latch, length of neck in proportion to the body and a sloping shoulder. But in my opinion I don’t think you can ever have a neck to long. The picture here is of our yearling filly at the 2007 Shetland Congress where she won the Reserve Grand Champion Classic Mare and for those who don’t understand what that title means…..it means she is the second best Classic Mare in the country. We were very proud of her this year as she really started to develop nicely and won most of the classes she was in all year including the Area 8 Championship winner “Champion of Champions” in Monroe, WA.

The top line (top of the back) of the Classic Shetland is straight, short, short loin and well muscled and the tail is set high on the croup (butt).

The Classic Shetland has a natural, straight and springy way of moving. Extremes in length of neck (I feel there is no such thing as long as it is in proportion to the rest of the pony), body, legs and action are undesirable.

 Heights for Shetlands range just like any horse but for the purpose of showing here are the guidelines; Maximum height at the withers shall not exceed 46″.  Classic Shetlands are shown in two height divisions Over & Under.  The over division of Classic Shetland height regulations is like this; 3 years and older - Over 42″ but not to exceed 46″, 2 year old - over 41″ not to exceed 44.5″, 1 year old - Over 40″ not to exceed 43″.  The under division of the Classic Shetland height regulations are in this order; 3 years old and older - 42″ and under, 2 year old - 41″ and under, 1 year old - 40″ and under.  All weanlings (current year foals) are required to measure 40″ and under.

The Modern

The Modern Shetland Pony is elegance in motion. This pony combines the historic hardiness of the Classic Shetland Pony with an outcross of an animated and superiorly refined breed. This cross-produced a long shapely neck and fine boned sophisticated pony with extreme action and a spirited personality that lends itself well to the show ring. Like all Shetlands, Moderns are not to exceed 46" and they come in any color.

The Modern Shetland Pony is shown in two height divisions, under 43" and 43" to 46". They are shown in breeding/halter classes and performance classes, which include roadster, harness and pleasure driving.

A well-trained Modern Shetland makes an agile, quick thinking mount for a child and can be used for everything from gymkhana ponies to hunter/jumpers. A good headset, superb carriage and high action most often define a great Modern Shetland performance pony. This is an elegant animal with all the pomp and sophistication of a carriage horse and the hardiness of a pony.

Modern Shetlands will thrill you with that high-stepping action, the fire of energy and style they bring to the show ring, the fun and fast thinking of an event horse or the elegance they bring to a carriage ride down the lane.
Let yourself be carried away by the beauty and majesty of The Modern American Shetland Pony.