Horse and Pony Breeds; The Shetland

Dear Readers,
This is my forth breed for my geography project. Hope you enjoy.

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The Shetland pony is found on the Shetland and Orkney Isles, in the North Sea off the coast of Scotland. The live in a very extreme climate and have adapted so.

Height: (measured in inch's) 38"-40"

Colour: Any
Use: Pack, Saddle, Harness
Features: Very thick mane and tail to protect from the weather, smooth coat in summer, very thick wiry double coat in winter, tough feet of blue horn with pasterns that are sloped.

Though they have lived on the Orkney and Shetland Isles for more than 2000 years, it is thought that they came from further north in Scandinavia before the ice fields melted and left Britain isolated from continental Europe.

These isles have no trees and acidic soil meaning only rough grass and heathers grow. But their is plenty of seaweed. Therefore the Shetlands diet consists mainly of this mineral-rich seaweed.

Their feet, coat and body have evolved and adapted to the islands, with there thick double winter coat, main and tail, kept them warm in the cold weather and their blue horn feet are the strongest horn so their feet won't be worn to fast or damaged easily by the rough ground, which means Shetland ponies in the rest of the world rarely need to be covered in winter or shod.

Also in 1847, after the Act of Parliament, women and children were prohibited from working in the coal mines of Great Britain, this in turn put high demand on Shetland ponies to become pit ponies, pulling wagons of coal out of the mines because they were small enough and cheap to feed and easy to care for. Because of this a heavier, coarser pony was developed alongside the existing Shetland.

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They are perfect for carrying seaweed and turf around these isles as pack ponies and as a from of transport. Those in the rest of the world are great as small children rides because of their size and gentle nature.

They are very popular all over the world, especially as small children's mounts, and with large countries owning their own stud books.

Thank you,
Roisin.P.