AY Honors/Shetland

Poni de las Shetland

El poni de las Shetland es una raza de poni originaria de las Islas Shetland. Los Shetland varían en tamaño desde una altura mínima de aproximadamente 28 pulgadas hasta una altura máxima oficial de 42 pulgadas (10.2 manos, 107 cm) a la cruz (11.2 manos para los Shetland estadounidenses). Los ponis de las Shetland tienen pelo pesado, patas cortas y se consideran bastante inteligentes. Son una raza muy fuerte de poni, utilizada para montar, conducir y empacar.

Shetland Ponies are hardy and strong, in part because the breed developed in the harsh conditions of the Shetland Islands. 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. A short broad back and deep girth are universal characteristics as is a springy stride. Shetlands have long thick manes and tails and a dense double winter coat to withstand harsh weather.

Shetlands can be almost every color, including skewbald and piebald (called pinto in the United States), but are mainly black, chestnut, bay, brown, gray, palomino, dun, roan, cremello, and silver dapple.

Shetland ponies are generally gentle, good-tempered, and very intelligent by nature. They make good children's ponies, but can be very opinionated or "cheeky," and, if not handled properly, can be impatient, snappy, and sometimes become uncooperative, traits often lumped under the label "stubborn" by those who fail to understand that pony behavior is influenced by the quality of human handling. Due in part to their intelligence and size, they are easily spoiled and can be very headstrong if not well-trained.