Horses

The American Shetland Pony was developed from?the original Shetland Pony of the Shetland Islands by breeding it with other pony breeds.? With the addition?of genes from the Welsh and Hackney, the result was a taller, more refined pony,?with?a higher head, slimmer lines.? They are well-made, squarely built, with short ears, wide apart eyes a small muzzle and fine neck.

The American Shetland Pony club was founded as the registry for the breed evolution from 1888.? There are currently several? tyes of American Shetland Pony,

1. The Classic,
2. The modern,
3. The American Show
4. The National Show Pony.?

The Classic American Shetland Pony
The maximum height of the Classic Shetland Pony is 1.16m(1hh).? Since their ancestor the original British Shetland was bred to work in coal mines, this pony has an innate driving ability and is the perfect size for a child to handle. They are reliable and of easy temperament, they are hardy and easy feeders.?

The Modern Shetland Pony
The modern Shetland is of similar height to the Classic, but has a longer neck, is finer or bone and generally more refined in appearance due to outcrossing the Classic with other breeds.

The Modern Pony competes in halter classes, roadster, harness and pleasure driving, Gymkhana as well as ?hunter-jumper pony classes.? They are shown in two height divisions ' under 1.09m(10.7hh) inches or the division from 1.16m(1hh).?.

The American Show Pony
These ponies are either Hackney Pony breed or of Shetland Pony breeding, or a combination of the two.? They are larger than the modern and the classi standing as high as 1.22m(12hh). They move with an animated gait and a brilliant way of going.? There are many show ring competitions available throughout the USA and the world for these remarkable ponies.

The National Show Pony
At the time of publication of this article, the were the newest pony to be recognized in the USA. The National Show Pony must have one purebred Shetland Pony parent, but this pony can measure as high as 1.48m(14.5hh).? Competition classes are under development in Shetland shows and there are national driving, hunter and western classes.? This pony is also used by adults due to its larger size.