Description of Shetland pony breed
Nowadays, horses are less and less used as a means of transportation or traction. Most often, equids can be found in various sports or entertainment areas. The latter are almost impossible without horses such as ponies. This horse attracts the attention of a person with its miniature dimensions, but the physical characteristics of a small horse can compete with many heavy draft horses. One of the most famous breeds of this subspecies of horses is the Shetland pony, which is also the oldest representative of this species.
Shetland pony
Range of Shetland ponies
The Shetland Island, which is located northeast of Scotland, is considered the indigenous habitat of the Shetland ponies. It is to this harsh archipelago that small horses owe their name. The climate of the islands is rather harsh: cold winds and high humidity hardened the horses' bodies. This area is also characterized by dense fogs. The temperature of the islands does not exceed 20 ° С.
Nowadays, the Shetland pony is popular all over the world. Most often, these stallions work in recreational areas, but some farmers still use the traction qualities of working horses as an alternative to another traction animal - the donkey.
In equestrian sports, there was also a place for ponies: at first they were used exclusively as training horses for small riders, but over time they began to hold competitions with the participation of mini-horses.
Shetland pony appearance
The purebred Shetland Pony has a well-established regulatory requirement for the exterior. The head of an adult should be small relative to the body and have a sloping, straight profile. Pony ears are small and set high at right angles. The nostrils are wide, and the eyes are predominantly brown in color.
The neck of the Shetland horse is medium in length, the body is distinguished by its massiveness and developed muscles. The withers are well defined, the back is short. The legs are relatively short in relation to the body, have pronounced joints and strong low hooves.
Shetland ponies have very thick hair. The mane and tail of animals grow very quickly, thus protecting the vulnerable parts of the body from strong winds.
In winter, horses' hair is thick, with a warm undercoat, so these babies tolerate cold and strong winds well. The density of the hairline protects the horses from the high humidity of their natural habitats.
In summer, stallions begin to shed, so the breed tolerates air temperatures up to 25 ° C well.
Purebred Shetland horses should be black or bay by exterior standards, but since the breed was bred exclusively for agricultural work, the color of the animal was not paid attention to, so there are piebald and red stallions.
The height at the withers of Shetland horses should be a little over a meter.Allowed 7 cm above the norm, but each subsequent centimeter indicates impurities of other breeds.
In terms of physical characteristics, these small horses are not inferior to large heavy trucks. Ponies are capable of carrying loads many times their own weight. Their tremendous pulling power has been the primary goal of breeders. In addition, the Shetland pony has such physical qualities as:
- endurance;
- vitality;
- firmness;
- reliability.
Due to their body structure, Shetland ponies are not considered to be the model for harmonious and fluid movement. Due to the short legs and heavy body, the trot of horses looks mincing. However, the animal has a good jump for its growth, and the stallions compensate for the low maneuverability with their strength qualities.
An unpleasant feature of these horses is their tendency to quickly gain excess weight. Ponies gain weight quickly, so the diet should be balanced and formulated based on physical activity.
The Shetland pony holds the record for longevity. Horses can live more than 30 years if properly maintained.
The nature of the animal and interaction with humans
A description of the character of the Shetland pony can start with one word: wayward. Little horses can often show excessive stubbornness or even aggression, but only towards those who encroach on their personal space.
The Shetland pony is distinguished by such character traits as:
- leadership;
- love of freedom;
- courage;
- self-respect.
Under certain circumstances, a small pony is able to drive a larger breed out of the herd if the animal feels the competition for leadership. Also, these horses can laugh loudly and shrilly, attracting attention to themselves.
But even in spite of these qualities, ponies can be dealt with. They are sensitive to affection and kind words, like dogs, so small horses lend themselves well to training. We must try to do without swearing at them: they will not tolerate such an attitude. However, if you can earn the trust and respect of the horses, it is very easy to work with them. Ponies are a highly intelligent breed of horses, which is why they are most often used as circus performers.
The Shetland pony treats children well, so it is often chosen as the first horse for a young rider. Also, these horses are used in medical practice. Horseback riding often has a rehabilitative effect on the child's body, so a pony ride may be prescribed for a child with musculoskeletal problems.
Conditions of detention and diet
Ponies as large horses require a lot of attention and good care. A stable for small horses should be warm and at the same time with good air circulation. Shetland ponies do not require a lot of space, unlike large breeds. For this type, a stall of 3 square meters is suitable. m, however, the ceiling height must be at least 3 m, otherwise the air of the stables will stagnate.
It is necessary to comply with sanitary standards of maintenance: change the litter every two days and clean the stables at least once a day, otherwise there will be an unpleasant odor in the stall, and an environment for harmful bacteria is created.
Shetland ponies, like their adult counterparts, have a small stomach but a long intestinal tract. Because of this, small horses should be fed frequently, but in small portions. The main problem with a pony is being overweight. These animals gain pounds quickly, so feed should be partially fed.
In general, the rules for feeding ponies look like this:
- The amount of feed should correspond to the physical activity
- New complementary foods are introduced into food gradually.
- In the summer, the animal must go for a walk in the pasture.
- It is forbidden to ride a pony unless an hour has passed since the meal.
- The diet should be balanced and include coarse, juicy and green foods.
- The animal's feeder should be washed once a day.
- The horse's diet must be strictly adhered to.
Just like their larger relatives, ponies consume a lot of water. It is required to ensure that the animal's drinker is always full and clean. Due to an active lifestyle, horses should not be restricted in the water, otherwise they may die.
Ponies need horseshoes as much as large breeds. Since small horses are often used in amusement parks, their hooves can be injured from the asphalt pavement. The process of forging small horses is not particularly difficult. The horseshoes themselves are usually made to order from lightweight and durable metal. The saddle and bridle are selected individually for the horse. The bit should not crush the animal's teeth, and the saddle should not rub the back. All equipment should be cleaned regularly to avoid illness.
Conclusion
The Shetland pony has long been used by humans as a traction force in agriculture. In today's world where horsepower is being replaced by technology, little horses are increasingly used in recreational areas such as circus and amusement parks.
The Shetland pony has amazing strength and willful character, however, due to its high level of intelligence, it is trainable. To find a common language with this horse, you should use verbal communication and reinforce good results with rewards.