Photos, description Shetland pony breed, characteristic for home breeding and maintenance

The name of the pony is a word that brings together several groups of small rocks that were distributed in the territories of the world’s regions. Such a large and quite diverse group assembly is all the little horses that have a minimum height of 152 cm. In our areas taken to breed only some representatives of the pony, which are well suited similar climatic conditions, by the way, the word “pony” is the unofficial title for small growth horses.

Consider Shetland representatives who are highly popular among all existing in Great Britain ponies. There are kids everywhere in cultural parks, nature reserves, zoos, with the pony club for children in the circus arena and so on.

Popularity Shetland ponies triggered by several factors, but the most important role among them is played by their minimal growth. Compared with other species, this species is considered the miniature, to surpass them can only real Maltz, the title of which – Falabella. Elevation breed waver provided at intervals of 80 cm to 115 cm, and weighs from 150 kg to 200 kg. Despite the small size of animals, they possess extraordinary strength. One kilogram of their weight corresponds polisher kilograms weight category that can raise the kids were, that is, the number is even higher than the force of traction, which have a standard horse, but to achieve such results, this capability should be developed. Differences in animals are too fluffy mane and tail parts, upon the occurrence of winter woolen cover becomes more abundant and dense. The colors of the coat there are a variety of the most popular ponies born with sheep, bay, bright red or gray color.

The first pupils were put into coastal areas of Scotland, on the same latitude as Lake Ladoga. About the area it is well known that there is very little vegetation, and climatic conditions are quite extreme. Rocks on the coast raised high that resembles the steep walls. For all seasons, is not found in the area a single storm, bad weather, or even ordinary rain. Multiple hills in the island territories are completely covered with peat bogs, which can only grow moss Icelandic adventures or a small layer of heather. In addition, there are growing blueberry bushes or small areas on which grass grows. That is the main diet of the representatives of the breed make up such plants. When the winter season comes and the snow falls, the animals are not able to eat similar food, then they are looking for pickings near the coast, where there is sea grass or seaweed. During storms increases many times the percentage of deaths of pets, to escape from such events is only possible in the rocks. After reviewing all the characteristics of living conditions provided by species, it becomes clear by the fact why the ponies have such small external dimensions, because the constant life in a restricted area, where there are many different animals, contributed to grinding rocks.

Historical facts are told that on the territory of the area of ​​animal brought the Picts (a title of the ancient Romans gave the Scottish residents). If we translate the word “Picts” from the Latin language, we get a value of “painted” or “has a lot of tattoos.” Once, on the north east of the Scottish regions, mentioned the existence of the horses, the characteristics of which correspond to Shetland. There are skeletons of miniature ponies were found whose growth does not exceed one meter, which confirms their ancient adventure. The existence of a pet is like from the period of the Roman possession, which was established in the period of the 1st – 4th centuries. The facts prove the origin of the considered hypothetical breed of animals lived at the beginning of a new era. Under any scenario, pets existed in the Shetland Islands has for a long time before settling on the territory of the Normans. Normans considered individuals that in 8-10 centuries captured the archipelago and gave it a new name. It proves that they have been delivered more massive pony with Scandinavian ancestry, but the pupils were not able to adapt to the new climatic and living conditions, so died or were absorbed inherent breed.

On arrival middle centuries, for Shetland ponies invented new name that sounds like “Sheltie” (have the identical name Shepherd, dwarf types that are derived in Scotland). For a long time on variations knew virtually no one except the limits of the Shetland Islands. When, in 1847, the newly introduced law prohibits work for children and women, the use of ponies is gaining popularity. Due to the small horse place of work in the mines or the mines, because their small size allowed to wade in a small space, of which it was necessary to withdraw the coal and iron ore. Already in 1931, in America, there were about 16 thousand representatives of Shetland species, by means of which to implement the necessary workflows.

The process of exporting babies to Europe and America began to report to the second half of the 19th century and the first half of the 20th century. Current indicators suggest that outside of Great Britain has far more animals than at home, while clearly decreased the number of livestock on the Shetland and Orkney coast.

Despite the fact that the animals have a lot of years trying to tame and domesticate, they appear aboriginal characteristics, which were originally characterized by horse. Due to increased miniaturization’s spreading as children’s ponies, although their nature is completely opposite to the child’s play. For all ages a variety of shetlentsev resisted careful selection, so there are recalcitrant instances, which are much harder to handle than standard horses. Aboriginal survival in the extreme areas developed in pupils the ability to stock, so when breeding animals need to carefully monitor their diet, besides every day to give them sufficient amount of loads, so they did not develop obesity. Regular exercise helps to develop a calm disposition and obedience, which practically does not have a separate kids Shetland.