The Classic American Shetland Pony's ancestry dates back to the Shetland Islands, where ponies roamed the hills and moors of Shetland as early as the 8th and 9th centuries. Shetlands were brought to this country in the 1800's and first registered in the United States in 1888 by the American Shetland Pony Club. The Shetland Pony, having been in the United States for more than 100 years, has been selectively bred for refinement... resulting in a sturdy but elegant pony.With a maximum height of 46 inches, Shetlands are the perfect size starter pony for a child. Bred to pull ore carts in coal mines in the mid 1800's Shetlands have retained an innate driving ability. A well trained Shetland not only excels at driving, but is a sturdy and reliable mount for any child.
These ponies are hardy and take the same health care as their larger cousins, the horse, only the feed and stabling is in proportionately smaller amounts. Owning a Classic Shetland does not require expensive equipment; your equipment can range from the barest essentials such as simple grooming tools, a halter, bridle and saddle to the equipment necessary for a hitch of work ponies or the elegance of antique carriages. The choice is yours to make. There is a place here for everyone.There are a wide variety of activities you can enjoy with your Classic Pony. Competition ranges from leadline classes for the small child to the very competitive driving and halter classes for older children and adults.
A pony makes a great, trustworthy childhood companion who will share many adventures expanding your child's imagination. Classic American Shetland Ponies have been used successfully in therapeutic programs for the physically and mentally challenged. Pony Hitches have livened up many a parade and are used regularly in a working environment.The love and devotion a pony can offer is giant sized. Introduce yourself or your child to the world of the Classic American Shetland Pony by visiting a farm or horse show with Classic Shetlands. Your child will never outgrow the love they have for their pony and neither will you... the Classic American Shetland has an appeal that lasts beyond childhood.
The Modern American Shetland Pony
The Modern American Shetland Pony is elegance in motion. This pony combines the historic hardiness of the Classic Shetland Pony with an outcross of an animated and superiorly refined breed. This cross produced a long shapely necked and fine boned sophisticated pony with extreme action and a spirited personality that lends itself well to the show ring. Like all Shetlands, Moderns are not to exceed 46" and they come in any color.The Modern Shetland Pony is shown in two height divisions under 43" and 43"to 46". They are shown in breeding/halter classes and performance classes which include roadster, harness and pleasure driving.
A well trained Modern Shetland makes an agile, quick thinking mount for a child and can be used for everything from gymkhana ponies to hunter/jumpers. A good headset, superb carriage and high action most often define a great Modern Shetland performance pony. This is an elegant animal with all the pomp and sophistication of a carriage horse and the handiness of a pony.
Modern Shetlands will thrill you with that high-stepping action, the fire of energy and style they bring to the show ring, the fun and fast thinking of an event horse or the elegance they bring to a carriage ride down the lane. Let yourself be carried away by the beauty and majesty of The Modern American Shetland Pony.
Want to find a pony to buy? Try our Breeders/Owners Directory!