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Welcome to Shetland
Shetland Ponies
A unique and hardy breed...
Shetland Pony in UnstShetland's world-famous miniature ponies can be seen throughout the islands - grazing by the roadside, on the beaches or on the heathery hills. Appearing to roam wild, the ponies are, in fact, all owned and tended to by local crofters.
The flowing mane and tail, coupled with the thick furry winter coat protect against the often harsh conditions of the islands.
These captivating creatures stand anywhere between 28 and 42 inches high. Charming and instantly recognisable by their flowing mane and tail, the ponies can be seen modelling a black, chestnut, grey, bay, dun, blue roan, piebald or skewbald coat - thick and furry in the winter or short and soft during the summer months.
Shetland Pony
For over twelve centuries these fascinating small horses have roamed the exposed hills and moors of Shetland. This unrestricted lifestyle has led to the evolution of a unique and hardy breed, befitting the environment.
In the 1850's heavy black male ponies were in high demand for export to the British coal industry. This followed the introduction of a law in 1847 that banned children from working in the mines. Hardy, resilient and very strong for their size, the ponies made ideal substitutes as they were able to pass through low underground tunnels hauling truckloads of coal.
Shetland PoniesTheir export greatly reduced the number of stallions in Shetland, threatening future breeding patterns. As a result, the Shetland Pony Stud Book Society was established in 1890 to rectify this and to ensure that purity of the breed was retained.
At home, Shetland ponies were used as workhorses - cultivating the land and transporting peat from hills - a useful addition to crofting families.
The first Stud Book asserts that Shetland ponies are foaled in the fields, live in the fields and die in the fields. This description still rings true today. Ponies graze on hill ground, known locally as common grazing or 'scattald'. The acres of rough heather clad moorland may appear scant subsistence for any animal. However, Shetland ponies have developed good conversion rates for food and high milk yield for their foals. In some parts, where land and sea meet, the ponies can supplement their diet with nutrients from mineral rich seaweed on beaches.
There is plenty of open space to roam freely and ponies can seek shelter, if need be, behind hillocks, old stonewalls or peat banks.
On Show
Today, Shetland ponies are talked about the world over, and are often a focal point at major competitions including the Horse of the Year Show at Wembley in October and the Shetland Pony Grand National, which forms part of the International Horse Show, at Olympia in December.
In Shetland, visitors will be able to spot them grazing by the roadside. They can generally be seen at Walls, Tingwall, Dunrossness and the island of Unst.
From May onward, new foals can be seen.
For further details on Shetland ponies and stud farms please contact:
Pony Breeders Association,
3 Gostagert Blick,
Sandness,
Shetland
ZE2 9PL
Tel:+44 (0) 1595 870 717
What Next?
On This Site
- Learn about other elements of the natural world you'll find in Shetland
From Other Sites
- Learn about the Shetland Pony breed from the Shetland Pony Studbook Society
- Read about the Westside Shetland Pony Breeders.
- Learn about Thordale Shetland Stud and Driving Centre.
Advertising Feature
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Feature
2008 Photo Competition
VisitShetland are pleased to announce their fourth annual photographic competition, open to local and visiting amateur photographers. The competition seeks entries which capture the imagination and the role that the Shetland landscape plays in our cultural identity.
Feature
Shetland Food Directory
From lamb to seafood, Shetland's produce is considered a benchmark for quality. A new website, The Shetland Food Directory, lists sources of fine Shetland food and drink and some of the wonderful places to eat out in Shetland.
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Buy Shetland Knitwear
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Choose from our wide range of Shetland knitwear including Fair Isle tank tops, cushion covers and bags. Also a range of rugs made with 100% pure Shetland wool.
Feature
Swan Trips 2008
Enjoy a trip on the Swan this summer and experience the world of a resilient vessel restored to glory. Join a crew who love the sea, and be part of a learning experience!
News
Treasure Returns to Shetland
Shetland Museum and Archives welcomes St Ninian’s Isle Treasure for three month loan...
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Loganair Revive Norway Connection
Scottish airline Loganair is filling the gap left by Faroese shipping company Smyril Line when it severed Shetland's link with its Norwegian neighbours last year.