Harnessed to a sulky, Great Falls, Montana
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| Country of origin | United States |
|---|---|
| Distribution | United States |
| Use | riding, driving |
| Traits | |
| Height |
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| Color | any color but spotted |
The American Shetland Pony is an American breedofpony. It derives from the traditional Shetland Pony from the Shetland IslesofScotland, but as a result of cross-breeding with other horse and pony breeds, is taller and more elegant.[1]: 435 It does not have the thick coat of the traditional Shetland, and in conformation is more similar to the Hackney Pony, with some Arab influence.[2]: 243 It is the most numerous pony breed in the United States; numbers in 1994 were estimated at over 50,000. It is one of two American pony breeds derived from the traditional Shetland, the other being the Pony of the Americas.[2]: 243
The first documented importation of Shetland Ponies to the United States was in 1885, when Eli Elliot imported seventy-five of them. A breed association, the American Shetland Pony Club, was formed in 1888.[2]: 243 The original stock was crossbred with various other breeds, principally the Hackney Pony. Arabian, Harness Show Pony and Welsh breeds were also used. The result was a taller and more elegant pony than the classic Shetland, with longer legs and finer bone, high withers and a sloping shoulder, and a high action particularly well-suited to harness work.[2]: 243 It does not have the thick coat of the traditional Shetland, but supposedly retains the hardiness and endurance of that breed; in conformation it is more similar to the Hackney Pony, also showing some Arab influence.[2]: 243
It is the most numerous pony breed in the United States; numbers in 1994 were estimated at over 50,000. It is one of two American pony breeds derived from the traditional Shetland, the other being the Pony of the Americas.[2]: 243 It was the principal influence on another Shetland-derived breed, the German Classic Pony.[3]: 176
American Shetland Ponies may be registered in the American Shetland Pony Club stud book, in one of four sections: foundation, classic, modern, and modern pleasure; they are distinguished by minor variations in conformation, the "foundation" type being the smallest and most similar to the American Shetland of the 1950s.[4] In the past, American Shetlands were registered in section B of the stud book, and the traditional Shetland Pony in section A.[2]: 243
The American Shetland Pony is well-suited to harness use. It may be used as a roadster to pull sulkies, or in fine harness pulling two-wheeled or four-wheeled carts. It may be ridden under either a WesternorEnglish saddle, and is also shown at Halter.[2]: 243
