| The Shetland pony is the smallest of all pony breeds | | | | ideal for picking its way over the rough, sometimes icy |
| and in relation to size the strongest. Though its origin is | | | | terrain. |
| uncertain records of its existence in the Shetland Isles | | | | Shetland ponies vary in size from a minimum height of |
| north of Scotland date back many centuries to the | | | | approximately 28 inches to an official maximum height |
| Bronze Age. It is believed they might be related to the | | | | of 42 inches (10.2 hands, 106.5 c.m.) at the withers. (Up |
| ancient Scandinavian ponies as the Shetland Islands | | | | to 11.2 hands for American Shetland) Their diminutive |
| were joined to Scandinavia until the end of the last Ice | | | | size was believed to be a result of years of poor |
| Age. | | | | keep but in kinder climates with better living they rarely |
| Shetland Ponies were domesticated by the islanders | | | | grow over height. |
| and crossed bred with ponies imported by Norse | | | | This strong breed of pony has been used for years |
| settlers. The Celtic Pony was imported to the islands | | | | as a working pony, for driving and pack purposes. It |
| between 2000 and 1000 b.c. and is likely to have also | | | | makes a good childrens lead reign pony, though it can |
| influenced the breed. | | | | be willful and may need a firm hand. It is known to be |
| The hostile climate and poor keep of the Shetland Isles | | | | intelligent and a well-trained Shetland is an ideal first |
| has resulted in developing an extremely hardy pony | | | | mount that will enjoy fun games and gymkhana. It may |
| with an extra thick, warm coat and an abundant mane | | | | be any colour including piebald and skewbald. |
| and tail. It has short strong limbs with small nimble feet, | | | | |