Shetland Ponies - Pictures
Shetland Ponies - HistoryThe origin of Shetland Ponies is unknown. There are some suppositions as to the way the breed got to the Shetland Islands. According to one version the horses appeared on the island after a shipwreck of the Spanish Armada flagship. The first settlers could have also brought them. The history of the Shetland pony is very long. The ancestors of the breed are believed to have existed more than two thousands years ago. An ancient carving depicts a man riding a very small horse.The breed's ancestors roamed freely on the islands until people domesticated them. The hardy horses were suited well for a number of activities due to their physical qualities. The Shetland pony's physical characteristics are the result of natural selection. The islands are characterized by a cold climate and strong winds. The barren soil does not provide succulent growth. Yet, it was sufficient enough for the Shetland pony to develop. Needless to say, harsh climate conditions have hardened the horse and provided it with the means for survival. Thus, the whole of the breed's appearance is the result of a long process of adaptation. Shetland Ponies - FunctionsThe peoples who resided on the Shetland Islands made their living mainly by fishing. Thus, they used Shetland ponies to carry the necessary equipment. Besides, they were used to carry peat from the hills to their homes. Later, the Shetland pony started to be used in mines. After children's labor had been banned, Shetlands took their place in mines. They were indispensable when carrying carts and going through narrow tunnels.At the second half of the 18th century, there was great demand for Shetland ponies. They were exported to southern parts of Great Britain and to America. Since the price of a Shetland was rather high, breeders found it lucrative to sell the horses. As the result, the population of Shetlands on the islands diminished greatly. A craze over the Shetland pony continued well into the first decades of the 20th century. The industrial changes reduced demand for Shetlands. Therefore, it became a children's horse. However, with the appearance of the Welsh pony the population of the Shetland pony collapsed. Nowadays, the breed is re-gaining its popularity. Shetland ponies attract much attention as children's horses and show competitors.
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