The Pony

Shetland pony

A Shetland Pony

A pony is a small horse, smaller than 14.2 hands at the whiskers (the highest point on the horse's back). Ponies are breeds in their own right, each with their own unique talent and specialty. Like horses, ponies of all breeds have been sharing human lives for thousands of years, and they have been trusted companions, loyal and uncomplaining workers and of course the beloved mounts of children from around the world.

Size: under 14.2 hands

Some pony breeds: Asturian pony, Dartmoor pony, Exmoor pony, Falabella pony, galician pony, Galiceno, Garrano, Hackney pony, New Forest pony, Newfoundland pony, Ob pony, Sorraia, Zaniskari pony, ...

The Shetland pony (aka shelts) for one has a unique and wonderful history of serving mankind. As the name implies, Shetland ponies are native to the Shetland islands (North East of Scotland), and they played an important role in the mining operations that took place there. It had always been the job of full sized horses to pull carts and wagons, but of course those large horses were far too large to fit into the mine shafts.

It was the Shetland pony who came to rescue, ferrying workers into the mines and coal and precious metals back out of the mines. It would have been virtually impossible for modern mining to have existed if it were not for the pony.

Of course mining is not the only occupation at which ponies excel. Ponies are capable of doing all the same sports as horses, from dressage and show jumping to Western and English pleasure classes. The Welsh pony in particular is an excellent, sturdy and brave jumper, and Welsh/Thoroughbred crosses are among the most talented of dressage horses.

Whether it is the sturdiness and reliability of the Shetland pony, the bravery a honesty of Welsh ponies of the lovability and gentle nature of the many ponies of indeterminate origin, the pony is one of the most beloved of all breeds of horse. There is virtually nothing the pony cannot do, from taking the children on a gentle ride around the farm to jumping over obstacles nearly as high as the pony itself.