Shetland Ponies

There is no such thing as a 'miniature Shetland' pony. You have either a Miniature horse or a Shetland pony. Mini's should never be ridden by anyone ever, they have fragile spines that can be hurt by direct weight. They can however pull a small pony cart with one or two adults in it. Shetlands are a breed of small pony that are very strong and make a great first pony for a kid. They can also pull a cart if trained correctly.

There is no 'one size fits all' for specific breeds of horses and ponies. It would be best to measure the pony for a saddle or have someone more experienced , like a saddler , try to fit the pony for a saddle.

The difference is breed registry, A shetland pony is one breed, a miniature horse is another. http://www.americanshetlandpony.com/ http://www.mamhc1.com/

From what I've heard from friends is that the ponies have managed to learn how to unzip tents and go into them to eat anything they can find.

It was so funny when my friend came back, saying they did that to her!

Shetland ponies originate from the Shetland Islands off of the British coast. They are small, but very sturdy animals that are built to hold grown men despite their size. They can weigh up to 700 pounds.

Humans and cougars are the top predators of Shetland Ponies. They are native to Scotland.

It would depend on the age of the pony and where he is kept. All horses (or ponies) that are kept in a stall need to get out daily if at all possible. If he is kept in a large pasture he will exercise himself to a certain degree. An older pony will need and want less exercise than a young pony. If he has pasture-mates, they will run and play together. But for riding 3 to 4 times a week is ideal.

They can if the child is very small. I wouldn't want to put more weight than 30 or 40 lbs.

A pony is a breed of horse which has a number of distinct traits, most notably a small size. Numerous pony breeds can be found all over the world, and some well known representatives of this equine group include Shetland, Welsh, and Connemara ponies. Just like their larger relatives, ponies have been used for work, sport, and pleasure for thousands of years, and they are incredibly diverse creatures.

A pony is not merely a small horse. There are several distinct physical differences between horses and ponies which make the two easy to distinguish. Ponies tend to very stocky, with thick bones, wide chests, and small heads. Their manes, tails, and coats are often thicker than those of horses, perhaps because many pony breeds evolved in colder climates where a thick layer of insulation would be vital.

Ponies are also incredibly strong for their size, thanks to their muscular bodies. A mature pony can sometimes pull the same weight as a draft horse, for example, and many ponies are capable of carrying adult riders. Pound for pound, ponies are much stronger than horses. They are also known for being extremely hardy, and tolerant of a wide range of conditions including extreme cold. The pony is also famous for being extremely intelligent, and sometimes a bit stubborn.

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All horses are herbivores - they eat grass and some other pasture plants. Shetland ponies are used to a very tough climate and can survive on less palatable plants than most other horses, but they are still herbivores.

The Shetland pony is a breed of pony originating in the Shetland Isles. Shetlands range in size from a minimum height of approximately 28 inches (7.0 hands; 71 cm) to an official maximum height of 11 hands (44 inches, 112 cm) at the withers (11.2 hands (46 inches, 117 cm) for American Shetlands).

Height: The height for this breed is 11 hands. This approximates to 44 inches to the withers of the horse. Average height for horse breeds is 15.0 hands or 60 inches. Therefore, the Shetland Pony is shorter than most horse breeds.

Yes, as long as they are not clipped. They are naturally hardy ponies as they originated from the Shetland Islands which are very cold islands in northern Scotland where it snows during winter.

Well this will depend on how you plan to keep the pony. If you put it on a drylot you can use a 40'-60' round pen with a run in. If you use a pasture I would recommend 1- 1.5 acres and a run in.

This approximates to 44 inches to the withers of the horse. Average height for horse breeds is 15.0 hands or 60 inches. Therefore, the Shetland Pony is shorter than most horse breeds. Weight: The Shetland Pony weighs 450 pounds, which is 575 pounds lighter than the average horse breed.

Shetland ponies originated in the Shetland Isles, located northeast of mainland Scotland. Small horses have been kept on the Shetland Isles since the Bronze Age. People who lived on the islands probably later crossed the native stock with ponies imported by Norse settlers.

If you have a 290 kilo horse (which is the average weight of a Shetland) he/she can hold up to a 70 kilo person. Keep in mind the height of the horse/pony as well you may end up with your feet dragging on the ground.

Also called "pit ponies" Shetlands were used for going down in coal mines to haul carts loaded with coal. Already small and hardy from the islands they developed on, they became a smaller and stronger breed through this hard work, which is now why the shetland holds the record for the strongest breed, for their size. Now a days, however, they are more a child's mount, and are sometimes used for pulling carts.

I assume you mean a pony that is not going to be ridden, not one that has never been ridden but you intend to ride, as an untrained horse or pony is not a good idea for someone without a lot of horse experience.

Assuming you have a facility (barn or run-in shed and pasture) or a boarding stable nearby, you will need at least the following: halter and lead strap, curry comb, body brush, mane and tail comb, hoofpick, buckets for food and water, salt block and salt block holder, grain or pellets for feed, hay for feed, shavings or other bedding, wheelbarrow, shovel, pitchfork, worming paste (look online for a rotational worming schedule to know what kind to get, or ask your vet), fly spray, fly mask.

You should also line up a vet and farrier to make sure your pony is healthy and has the proper vaccinations and hoof care. You will need to budget for these things; expect to spend about $50 and up for a simple hoof trim, which needs to be done about once every 4-6 weeks. Vet care will vary in cost depending on what vaccines you need, and this varies by area of the country.

Check Craigslist for horse items, and find out if any of the tack shops in your area sell consignment items. You can also order things online pretty cheaply at www.millerharness.com or www.jeffersequine.com. Feed can be purchased at Tractor Supply or local feed stores.

You should also talk to some horse people in your area for advice before you take on a pony as they are a big responsibility. Good luck.

This approximates to 44 inches to the withers of the horse. Average height for horse breeds is 15.2 hands or 60.8 inches. Therefore, the Shetland Pony is shorter than most horse breeds. Weight: The Shetland Pony weighs 450 pounds, which is 575 pounds lighter than the average horse breed.

Horses are made to amble around all day and run very fast very quickly, they are prey/herd animals. But they are constantly on the move. So, if your horse is in a confined area, like a stall or a paddock, he/she needs to be turned out in a pasture or large arena for at least a half hour a day, the longer, the better.

a good name for a shetland pony is sheba which is from the Hebrew origin it means promise or oath.

The Shetland pony is a breed of pony originating in the Shetland Isles. Shetlands range in size from a minimum height of approximately 28 inches (7.0 hands; 71 cm) to an official maximum height of 11 hands (44 inches, 112 cm) at the withers (11.2 hands (46 inches, 117 cm) for American Shetlands).

A shetland is a very good jumper but it all depends on the pony some can jump up to 2"3 and some can't go past 18 Inch (this is just as a safe hight you can jump them higher but if you do they could hurt themselves if they trip up...)